OHIO - The Buckeye State, holds a significant place in American history as a gateway to the West and a hub of industry and agriculture. But before it officially joined the Union in 1803, the land that constitutes modern-day Ohio was part of a much larger, foundational territory. Understanding what Ohio was originally called involves exploring the early administrative divisions of the newly formed United States.
The Northwest Territory: A Vast Frontier
Following the American Revolutionary War and the Treaty of Paris (1783), the United States gained control of vast lands west of the Appalachian Mountains. The area north of the Ohio River, west of Pennsylvania, east of the Mississippi River, and south of the Great Lakes was organized by the federal government as the Northwest Territory.
The Formal Designation: Territory Northwest of the River Ohio
While commonly referred to as the Northwest Territory, its official, formal name was the "Territory Northwest of the River Ohio." This designation defined its geographical boundaries relative to the crucial Ohio River waterway.
The Northwest Ordinance of 1787: A Blueprint for Growth
This vast territory's governance and future development were established by a landmark piece of legislation. In 1787, the Congress of the Confederation passed the Northwest Ordinance. This critical act established a system for governing the territory, outlined fundamental rights for its inhabitants (including prohibiting slavery), and, importantly, created a pathway for territories to eventually achieve statehood.
Ohio: The First State from the Territory (1803)
The Northwest Ordinance paved the way for the creation of several new states. Ohio was the first state to be carved out of the Northwest Territory, officially admitted to the Union as the 17th state on March 1, 1803. Its admission marked a significant milestone in the westward expansion of the United States.
The Origin of the Name "Ohio"
The name chosen for the new state, "Ohio," was not derived from the territorial designation but from the great river that formed its southern border. The name "Ohio" comes from the Iroquois word "ohi:yo," meaning "great river" or "large creek," a fitting description for the mighty Ohio River.
So, while the land existed and was inhabited by Native American tribes for millennia, the area that became Ohio was first formally known under American governance as the "Territory Northwest of the River Ohio," or more commonly, the Northwest Territory. Ohio's formation as the first state from this territory in 1803, taking its name from the "great river" that defined it, marked a pivotal step in the westward growth and organization of the United States.
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Sources:
- U.S. National Archives (Northwest Ordinance, Treaty of Paris)
- Ohio History Connection
- Histories of the Northwest Territory
- Iroquois language resources
- Ohio statehood records
