Why was the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 important for the newly formed US What system did it set up?

The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 was crucial for the newly formed United States as it established a systematic process for incorporating new territories into the Union as states, promoting orderly expansion. It set up a framework for governance in the Northwest Territory, outlining how territories could become states once they reached a certain population. Additionally, it emphasized principles like the prohibition of slavery in the new territories and the importance of public education, laying a foundation for future statehood and civil rights.