What was Napoleon's reason for selling Louisiana territory?

Answer 1

1. Napoleon needed the cash to continue the war in Europe.
2. He lacked the troop strength to occupy and defend French interests in the New World.
3. The slave revolt in Haiti had already reduced his North American foothold.
4. Overseas colonies mandated a large Naval presence which he did not have available and could not afford to raise and maintain.
5. American ownership was not in the best interest of the UK and anything that upset his British enemies gave him great pleasure.

Answer 2

Napolean wanted money for his grandiose plans for military conquest. He also realized that the US adjoined the territory, really needed access to the Mississippi River and that it would be difficult for France to defend it against invasion. He probably did not realize how much land there actually was since much of it had never been explored.

Napoleon also wanted the British to not gain a foothold in New Orleans and the Louisiana territory. He understood that it was a better situation for him to offer the land for sale inasmuch as he could not defend it and he'd rather have the US purchase it before Great Britain tried to take New Orleans and give Great Britain more territory, in addition to Canada, in North America.

Answer 3

Napoleon Bonaparte was rebuilding the power of France in Europe and attempting to regain much of its colonial empire. In a secret treaty between and Spain, Napoleon regained the vast amount of territory it had years ago ceded to Spain. The territory covered what is now the US State of Louisiana, and expanded to areas northwest of the Mississippi River. The territory was about 828,000 square miles.US President Thomas Jefferson understood the importance of not having a strong French presence in the city of New Orleans. At the same time, he also wanted to prevent the British Empire from gaining more territory in North America should the British seize New Orleans in event of a war between the two European superpowers.

The world was unsure of Napoleon's specific plans for French expansion. Jefferson was surprised when he learned from his minister in France, David Livingston, that Napoleon offered to sell to the US the entire territory of Louisiana. Because of the strength of the British navy, and the uncertainty in French Haiti, Napoleon believed he could not hold New Orleans from a British assault. Additionally, there was always the prospect of the US taking control of New Orleans and the Louisiana Territory.

There was considerable opposition in the US for making a deal with France. Some, including Alexander Hamilton, believed that Napoleon would never sell New Orleans. Others believed that the US should take the City by force.

It became known that the British did not want the US in New Orleans and that Napoleon's brothers were also against the sale. Nevertheless the deal was struck and with the help of James Madison, Jefferson made the deal.

As an aside, opposition to the Purchase came from a variety of places. One was from the editors of the Alexander Hamilton owned New York Post and from the president of Harvard, Josiah Quincy.

Answer 4

He knew that the UK would oppose the sale and anything that the UK opposed mande him happy.

Answer 5

Easy money, he knew he couldn't maintain it after the Haitian revolt so he had to get something out of it. also he was gay.so there weren't alot of boys in the territory. So he sold it.

Answer 6

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