AHC: French Louisiana

[tom]

Was there any possibility of a French speaking independant nation where OTL Louisiana Purchase was? Perhaps some break for Napoleon in the Carribean? Or a program of French emmigration to the New World?

[Direwolf22]

Originally Posted by tom

Was there any possibility of a French speaking independant nation where OTL Louisiana Purchase was? Perhaps some break for Napoleon in the Carribean? Or a program of French emmigration to the New World?

In my timeline (see sig) the French maintain their colonies in NW after winning the 7 Years War. A few decades later Louisiana breaks off and becomes independent after the rise of an emergent liberal middle class attempting to escape the absolutism of France.

[Faeelin]

You know, I wonder how a French Louisiana would fare. It's improbable, and it requires a French leadership willing to take advantage of American weaknesses, but it's an interesting question if Britain would prefer that or an American one.

Hrm.

[Brady Kj]

I've been wondering the same thing. I think this Louisiana would have to have some territory east of the Mississippi river, because that river would be crucial to the country's economy, and they'd need a buffer zone between them and the US. And they'd have to keep the entire area around New Orleans heavily protected from invaders, because their neighbors wanted that city and the borders were awfully close to it. These issues wouldn't be as big of a deal if they held a strong alliance with the US or Mexico that somehow goes uninterrupted throughout history. But I think an alliance that strong with both countries is a bit far-fetched, so I think Louisiana would be safest if it's allied with the US and also includes OTL's Texas to make it harder for Mexico to invade. And it needs a decent navy.

[Serenissima]

If Napoleon hadn't sold it, it's entirely possible that Britain would have taken it anyway at the end of the Carribbean campaign.

[Georgie Porgie]

Originally Posted by Serenissima

If Napoleon hadn't sold it, it's entirely possible that Britain would have taken it anyway at the end of the Carribbean campaign.

The 1812 War would have been significantly different if the British had troops on the ground.

Would the Americans have fought the Brits as allies to the French if they tried to take Louisiana if the purchase had not gone through? The Americans would not have wanted the Brits to control Canada as well as Louisina as it would have cut off the westward growth of the US.

Not to mention that the Brits would have had to free all the slaves (actually I can't remember the exact timeframe for emmancipation of held slaves).