What was the Louisiana Purchase?

mibmob

Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte 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 Aug 21 03, 11:42 AM

Brainyblonde

France wanted Louisiana back from Spain, but when French troops were forced to return to France because of a salve revolt in Saint-Domingue, keeping it became unnecessary. Enter the United States who wanted the area for a variety of reasons. They discovered the transfer of Louisiana from Spain to France and sent Robert Livingston to France in 1801 to try to purchase New Orleans. Napoleon initially refused, leading President Thomas Jefferson to send James Monroe to secure the deal. However, in April 1803, just days before Monroe was to arrive in Paris, Napoleon offered to sell the United States not only New Orleans but all of Louisiana. Napoleon's minister of the treasury, the Marquis de Barbé-Marbois, dealt with Livingston and Monroe over terms of the Louisiana Purchase. The United States purchased Louisiana for $11,250,000 and assumed claims of its own citizens against France up to $3,750,000, for a total purchase price of $15 million. http://lsm.crt.state.la.us/cabildo/cab4.htm Aug 21 03, 11:51 AM

Create a Free FunTrivia ID to add to, request more/new answers, or edit this entry

How much did the {$15} million purchase of the 828,000 square miles of the Louisiana Purchase cost per acre? In cost per acre which was a better bargain, Alaska or the Louisiana Purchase? Is it illegal to purchase sulphuric acid? What bird is on the state flag of Louisiana?

1 Louisiana Here's a little quiz about my home state. Louisiana Tough 10 Q bigsmooth Jul 24 00 2160 plays 2 Proof of Purchase Fun for all! Good luck! Dark Angel: Season Two Tough 20 Q bi452angel Dec 09 03 279 plays 3 Louisiana Symbols Here is my first quiz about my home state--Louisiana! Take this quiz to see how much you know about my home state. Have fun and good luck! Louisiana Tough 15 Q Bugsred Jan 29 02 1374 plays