History

Here is another good referrence:

http://www.classbrain.com/artteenst...cle_47.shtml

This is how I remember it. Allow me a little latitude.

France/Napolean needed cash. Wars aren't cheap you know. Americans were already sailing down the Mississippi into New Orleans and conducting business. Often, as merchants/traders made their way south, the French were restricting travel and trade on the Mississippi.

Many of the traders up river weren't too happy with how business was conducted in New Orleans as well as their hold of the Mississippi river. Actually, many were ready to march on New Orleans and take it for themselves. They even tried to convince Congress at the time that New Orleans and its territory should be annexed. Not willing to have a war with the allies that recently helped us, Americans had to make do with dealing with restricted travel and trade on the Mississippi.

Well Napolean was in a fight for Europe and really couldn't spare any troops to the Americas. What troops he could spare had more issues with yellow fever and the jungles of what is now Haiti. Basically, the French had no men or resources to properly make New Orleans a powerhouse city for the French in the New World.

Feeling Louisana slipping away, Napolean offered Jefferson a sweet deal and Jefferson couldn't refuse. Double the United States plus some for around 2 cents an acre? SOLD.

I love watching the history channel.

shatsi, Are you working on something or was this just curiosity? My wife has a Master's in History and lots of research books if you need some help on this. Mike

Oh oh...that's how a person gets involoved with numismatics. You will find many history lovers in coin collecting as coins represent a momemnt in time, and a story to tell.

Throw in some beautiful pieces of artwork and that's the bonus we enjoy!