From the Colonies to the Northwest Ordinance Settlers moved to the eastern coast of North America Colonists spread west into Native American and French land. The French built forts along the Ohio Valley and armed their Native American allies This became known as the French and Indian War It was fought in North America, Europe and on the high seas. It was very Expensive for the British government, but they eventually won. The cost of the war caused the British government to tax the Colonies This made the colonists very upset. Since they did not get to vote for the British government they said that this was taxation without representation! This led to the War for Independence. A congress of politicians from each colony signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4 th, 1776 The British gave the new United States all of the land from the Atlantic coast to the Mississippi River Ben Franklin and John Adams were both present at the signing of this treaty. Spain and France, Americas allies during this war gained territories in North America and elsewhere. The new nation had to decide how to split their newly gained land into states. The law deciding this would be called the Northwest Ordinance