Why did the ordinances of 1785 and 1787 provide public lands and funds for schools? The government wanted to train surveyors to divide land.
Congress wanted to prevent slavery in the new territories,
There was more land available than individuals could use,
A successful republican government needed educated citizens,

A successful republican government needed educated citizens.

Explanation:

The Land Ordinance of 1785 and the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 both encouraged settlement in the United States of America.

On the 20th of May, 1785 the United States Congress of the Confederation adopted the Land Ordinance of 1785. The Land Ordinance of 1785 enabled settlers in the underdeveloped west of the United States of America to purchase title to farmlands due to the fact that US Congress could not generate revenue through direct taxation.

Also, the United States Congress of the Confederation adopted and enacted the Northwest Ordinance on the 13th of July, 1787 which allowed new states to join the union from the Northwest Territory, as well as listing the bill of rights guaranteed.

Basically, the ordinances of 1785 and 1787 provide public lands and funds for schools because a successful republican government needed educated citizens.

This ultimately implies that, the Republicans wanted their citizens to be educated because it would enhance civilization and bring growth and development to the United States of America.