newspaper+articales+1-4+APA

Napoleon and Louisiana Napoleon Bonaparte dreams of rebuilding France’s empire in North America. He hopes by occupying Louisiana, French will replace Spanish as the key European power in western North America. A rebellion of enslaved Africans on the Caribbean Island stand in napoleons way. A former slave assumed leadership of the island. Slaveholders all over the Caribbean were alarmed by this. Napoleon wants to gain control of the island so he can use it as a supply base before occupying Louisiana. He sends a French army to get Saint Dominique back. The French fail to recapture the island and napoleons plans are ruined.

The Mississippi region

when the U.S learns that France gets ownership of Louisiana, they begin watching napoleon. President Jefferson knows that Louisiana can block the U.S. from expanding westward. The French can interfere with U.S. trade along the Mississippi river by controlling the seaport in New Orleans. The seaport has a rich cultural heritage and has a growing economic importants. The French founded the city in 1718 but it came under Spanish rule in 1762 and remained Spanish until returning to the French 40 years later. The docks are busy with all sorts of trade. Many of it is sent to Europe. Many languages contribute to New Orleans. The diverse community has bean under rule of several different nations.

Purchasing the territory/ surprising offer

President Jefferson wants to stop French from controlling New Orleans, but also does not want to start war. He hopes to purchase the city from France and solve the problem peacefully. Jefferson instructs the ambassador the France to purchase New Orleans and Florida from French government. Talleyrand begins by saying without New Orleans Louisiana is of little value to France. He asks Livingston what U.S will give for the whole. The Americans were stunned that France was trying to sell all of Louisiana. The French had many reasons to sell it mostly because of war reasons. Napoleon wants money for supplies in Europe. The U.S offered $15 million dollars and signed a treaty on May 2, 1803.

Expanding the nation

the purchase of Louisiana doubles the size of the United States. Though the boundaries of Louisiana were not yet defined, it is a huge region of land that stretches west from the Mississippi river all the way to the great Rocky Mountains. President Jefferson is pleased that the land offers much opportunity for agricultural expansion.