The significance of the Land Ordinance of 1785 lay in its establishment of a systematic process for surveying, selling, and settling the western territories acquired by the United States after the Revolutionary War. By dividing the land into townships and sections, the Ordinance set the groundwork for orderly expansion and facilitated the sale of land to settlers, promoting westward migration. This law demonstrated the U.S. government's commitment to territorial growth and economic development. Additionally, it included provisions for education by reserving sections of land for public schools, highlighting the importance placed on education in the new nation’s ideals.