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Why limit yourself to one state when you can buy 15, and two provinces?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louisiana_Purchase

(And yes, the Louisiana Purchase, at 828,000 square miles, is larger than Alaska, at 663,268. Though the nominal price was higher -- $15 million vs. $7.2).

Ellison was robbed blind.

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The Louisiana Purchase was a scam that went awry. Napoleon "sold it" so he could raise money for his European campaign. The plan was to sell it to the Americans then take it back through force after he successfully conquered Europe.

That's an interesting statement. Do you have a citation for that so I can read more about it?

Sorry, I don't. Just an opinionated, french father-in-law steeped in french history and colonialism.

One of the things I quickly learned after leaving the US is that American historical events are viewed very differently in different sides of the world. Maybe some of the french HNers can give the french perspective.

My understanding is just the interpretation of US history books and one grumpy, old frenchman.

Really? By my understanding it was more of a fire sale--between trying to conquer Europe and the slave revolt in Haiti, Napoleon was convinced that it wasn't worthwhile to hold onto useless colonies in America when he could have all of Europe in his grasp.

But would you really want Louisiana ?

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