Why did Napoleon own Louisiana?

Answer 1

Napoleon had a vision of a renewed western empire for France, and his schemes included the recapture of Louisiana from Spain. Control over this vast territory would halt the westward expansion of the young United States and would supply French colonies in the West Indies with the goods they needed. In 1800, Napoleon signed the secret Treaty of Ildefonso with Spain, an agreement that stipulated that France would provide Spain with a kingdom for the son-in-law of Spain's king if Spain would return Louisiana to France. However, Napoleon's plan collapsed when the twelve-year revolt of slaves and free blacks in the French colony of Saint-Domingue succeeded, forcing French troops to return defeated to France and preventing them from reaching their ultimate destination--Louisiana--and from being able to defend it. As Napoleon's New World empire disintegrated, the loss of Haiti made Louisiana unnecessary.

Answer 2

Napoleon is not actually the person who first settled Louisiana for the French. The French landed colonists there as early as 1682. The man who founded the first colony for them was named Robert LaSalle and he named it after King Louis XIV.

Louisiana is important for several reasons, all relating to the Mississippi River. First, since New Orleans sits at the mouth of that river, whoever controls New Orleans can control access to the ocean. With a few carefully placed forts, the French could prevent ocean access for the entire middle of North America.

Second, the mouths of rivers tend to carry the mud from all of the regions through which the river flows, and therefore the soil tends to be very high-quality. In other words, it was a great place to grow crops.

Third, New Orleans in particular is the ultimate beachhead for any invading force. It had river access to the north, it had access to the ocean, and it is surrounded by hostile terrain features, like swamps and bayous. If the French chose to mount a real challenge to British dominance in North America, New Orleans would be a great place to start.

Fourth, Napoleon was interested in an empire in the New World focused on the Caribbean sugar trade. New Orleans was an excellent place from which to control all of this. Many of the Caribbean islands were simply too small, or did not have sufficient harbors to support the sort of navy he would need to make such an endeavor work.

Answer 3

It is unclear the exact motives that Napoleon had in mind as regards the Louisiana Territory, but he was envisioning creating a North American Empire, so he was likely going to use the position to attack Spanish Texas and British Canada. He decided that the money to be gained by selling the territory to the United States was worth more than those dreams.

Answer 4

To make more money from France's Caribbean colonies..

Answer 5

He needed cash to continue his war in Europe.

Answer 6

Napoleon was planning on colonizing the Louisiana Territory, but later decided to just sell it all to America. He was more concerned with his affairs in Europe than in the New World.

Answer 7

To make France's Carribean clonies more profitable

Answer 8

Napoleon wanted Louisiana back from Spain in 1803 to sell it to the United States, in order to collect money for the war against Great Britain.

Answer 9

napoleon wanted louisiana back from spain to fund his wars in the future