Who first offered to purchase Louisiana, in the Louisiana Purchess?

Answer 1

James Monroe and Robert R. Livingston made the journey to Paris, for U.S. Presdent Thomas Jefferson, to negotiate the purchase of New Orleans in 1803. Their intent was only to gain the port and area around New Orleans to allow unimpeded shipping of produce from America's interior down the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. They were surprised to find the French willing to sell the entire territory.

Answer 2

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.

Answer 3

Thomas Jefferson laid the groundwork for the purchase, Robert Livingston pursued it.