An overview
Europeans started arriving in the late 1500s. It soon became a french colony and was named la Louisiane, after the french king Louis XIV. Spain then occupied Louisiana around the 1770s. The Us proposed the Louisiana purchase treaty in 1803, according to which the area would be divided into two territories, the Orlean territory, and the Louisiana district.
Napoleon's plans for Louisiana
In the san Ildefonso treaty of 1800, Napoleon Bonaparte acquired the territory of Louisiana from Spain. However, he kept this a secret for the next few years since he had ambitions to build a substantial colonial empire in the united states. He failed in his attempt to conquer Saint Domingue and had to withdraw his troops in 1803. soon after, Haiti declared its independence, and napoleon had to give up his desire to become the American emperor. He sold his territory of Louisiana to the US in the Louisiana Purchase treaty of 1803.
Farmer's against Napoleon
The Americans were afraid that they wouldn't be able to settle if Napoleon came to power. This is why they were protesting against him. The farmers, on the other hand, did not want Napoleon to be the ruler because he would close all ports to American goods, and the farmers would not be able to trade their crops in the market.
Problems faced by Napoleon
France faced several international disputes, which was flavorful of the US attempt. Louisiana hardly contributed to the french economy.
The battle of Haiti resulted in a massive loss of money and resources. Napoleon reconsidered his plan to establish his colonial capital in Hispaniola. He could not save Louisiana from the constant attacks of the British naval powers. He finally decided to sell the territory of Louisiana to the US.
