buying Louisiana?

Question

why was there controversy over buying Louisiana from the french

Answer 1

Because Jefferson bought more than he was supposed to and did it without Congress agreeing to it. He was just supposed to negotiate for the Port of Orelans. Then when the bigger deal was offered he authorized the purchased before Congress approved. According to the Federal Law, Congress was supposed to approve the deal first.

Answer 2

There was also the problem that the Spanish thought they owned most of the territory and that Napolean didn't have the right to sell it. The USA knew this, of course, but figured we could handle Spain if we had to. Our purposes for buying it were many, but it included making sure that the French didn't have New Orleans to use as a base to invade the US - something that had been planned and considered by Napolean. He needed money to fight the Brithish, whom he hated, so he sold instead.

Answer 3

some Republicans thought that the federal government was strengthening itself by this large purchase and they were against that.

On the other side of the political spectrum, some Federalists, such as Alexander hamilton, thought that we should have taken Louisiana by force because Napoleon was going to invade through New Orleans as soon as he had finished with his invasion of Britain and we should gain the upperhand by invading French territory (the British invasion never materialized and Napoleon never had a chance to concentrate on Louisiana.)

Answer 4

Because Jefferson ideology was to have a small government but he contradicted himself by making such a decision

Answer 5

The President did so without consent of Congress.