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Let's say that the French were able to hold onto the Louisiana territory so the U.S. was unable to buy it in 1803. How do you think things would have then played out? I suppose that it could be argued that the territory would have ended up in American hands one way or another, possibly at a higher asking price by the French later on. Or, would war have been the eventual means of taking the land?
As the English weren't (still) too fond of having lost the colonies, France exerting some push on the new USA wouldn't have bothered them much… we would likely have gone back to them for help and they would never pass on a shot at France.While Napoleon would have liked to regain holdings in the New World his debacle in Haiti was costly and the only way to recover and recoup was to sell off the L-T... having rooked Spain out of it. Please remember France had given over the L-T to Spain after the French and Indian War to make good some of their losses suffered helping against England.I go with the idea that Napoleon thought he could sell us the L-T; defeat the rest of Europe (bankrolled with the proceeds); get England to help him re-establish New France as the price to either not invade the Isles or a con to help them get the colonies back.Beware of the Frenchy selling big chunks of land that they gave away and stole back. 8)
Napoleon didn't care much of Louisiana territory, having lost Canada and the eastern part of Louisiana to the Britons after the 7 Years 'War, the great closure encircling the 13 colonies vanished. In the early 1800's, there was few knowledge about what was lying in the Western territories. Therefore Louisiana was not vital in Napoleon's plans but the conquest of Europe. If the Louisiana Purchase didn't occur, I think New America would probably have invaded these territories just like in California, Texas and the Great Lakes. The population level was in favour of America even if Americans would surely become fond of snails and frog legs in a garlic sauce !! ::)
Consider that Jefferson really only wanted to buy New Orleans to keep American produce moving down the Mississippi and that he had to rely on the elastic clause to get anything accomplished here (much as he was opposed to it) the purchase almost didn't happen.While I agree Napoleon (by this time) cared little for the Louisiana territory; holding it was still a valuable chit that he could (try to) use to his advantage. Even to the extent of going against the advice of Talleyrand on this matter. (I still stand behind the assertions of my previous post.)Yes Manifest Destiny would have taken the US into this territory eventually, but Jefferson was going to send Lewis and Clark anyway, the deal Napoleon proposed was the next best thing to a free lunch; such a deal! No way we could pass up the chance to doule the size of the country for less than $0.03 per acre.
The U.S. paid 60 million francs ($11,250,000) plus cancellation of debts worth 18 million francs ($3,750,000), a total cost of 15 million dollars for the Louisiana territory. Good deal indeed.Anyway it's another mistake of Napo, just like the Ha?ti one about Toussaint "Louverture" ("the opening")...
He found it hard to remember the mission was to drain the swamp when he was hip deep in alligators… ;D
I would guess that the US would have eventually claimed the territory or fought a war to gain it absent Napoleon selling it. There were people talking about expanding even before the revolution so it was just a matter of how and when. As it is, we got a pretty sweet deal and Napoleon got some cash to keep his wars going.
