Oooh this looks like fun! Time for the house of Bonaparte out West!
Napoleon never sells Louisiana to the United States and keeps it there just in case, turning down the US's attempts at getting it though he sends some of his men there in forts to defend the place though probably also not antagonize the natives. After he is disposed of and exiled the first time, he decides instead to go to France to get his loyalists and start a new Empire over in Louisiana. He gets an alliance with the United States though also works his pragmatism, such as becoming a haven for freed and runaway slaves.
- Emperor Napoleon I of Empire of Louisiana (1815-1830).: Dies from stomach cancer, but probably later given he isn't in jail like in OTL. He probably lends Mexico support during their revolution against the Spanish though he probably shows interest in purchasing Texas from them as to get a greater coastline than just Louisiana. Perhaps it's even part of the arrangmenet with helping Mexico out. Additionally, I could see Napoleon convincing Joseph to take the crown of Mexico and becoming Jose I over there.
- Emperor Napoléon II François Bonaparte of Louisiana (1830-1880): He probably spends his early years between Austria and Louisiana and grows up similar to OTL though he surrenders any claim to the French throne to keep Europe off of his back. He takes over when he is about 19 or so as a young emperor and thus probably works to get to know his kingdom. He probably befriends the Native Americans enough to give them better standing since they probably did not antagonize his father's forts during the early years. His wife would likely be an Austrian noblewoman or alternately, someone within Louisiana. I don't think he'd try to reclaim Haiti, but instead maybe allies with them and assists them in claiming all of Hispanola.Ends up as mediator between the US and Mexico. He may try and purchase land up to the Rockies to stablize the growth of the Empire with Mexico with Jose using the money to improve the lives of the people and maintaining hold of Central America. Gold Rush would probably be delayed since not many would head west given there's Louisiana or the US to go to. Mexico probably lends land to Chinese immigrants to settle the place who discover gold and manage to have them rush in to try and keep hold. Maybe they organize as a free nation though swear loyalty to Louisiana and Mexico (possibly using the San Fransico bay as a dividing point,) which both Bonapartes would accept though Napoleon II would also try and secure a deal for Pacific trade. Also oversees a deal with California using some of the gold to purchase some of the Oregon Country (let's assume as OTL) to expad and make up the loss of southern California in the neogtiations with Mexico. They call the new country Fusang, after the mythical land east of China. Chinese immigrants also settle into Louisiana and they along with the freedmen assist in the Transcontinental Railroad plan on their hand. Mexico also probably enters political union with Hawaii. Napoleon II lives bit longer. Possible has a daughter and names her heir.
- Empress Joséphine Bonaparte of Louisiana (1880-1920): Inherits the throne in her mid 20s and likely spent time in Lousiana, in Austria-Hungary a bit and also Mexico, I reckon she'd be a good strong ruler. After seeing what is happening in Europe, she probably puts in some liberal reforms if her father hasn't by then. Works to maintain good relations with the US, Mexico and the new California, inhabited by Chinese immigrants mainly though also minorities of around who fled to the Gold Rush and Transcontinental Railroad. Gets Louisiana involved in the Spanish-American War and has Haiti help them claim Puerto Rico while Mexico or Fusang take the Spanish Indies. Maybe Jose seats an heir on the Philippines or if Fusang gets there, grants independence. Regarding potential loss of Likely assists in growth of nation and immigration. Unsure whether she would get invovled in the Great War though I reckon she and the US could be funding some of the Allies at most. Not sure who she would marry though if maybe Bismarck decides to marry a princess to one of her potential younger brothers or a prince to her, could be to try and maintain peace between them. Maybe Prince Henry of Prussia becomes her husband or Princess Victoria Louise of Prussia marries Josephine's son. If that's the case, then neutral in the war and US possibly as well. Great War's fate is unknown. Maybe Central Powers win since without US/Lousiana support, Allies run out of steam faster and maybe Josephine with US president tries to convince them to end the war. Likely a white peace in 1917. Russian monarchy is overthrown and keeping Alaska, possibly flee there with loyalists to become the Tsardom of Alaska. Russia is now democraticized, but probably not under Bolsheviks, Lenin likely remaining in Germany and building up red support there. Germany annexes Austria and tries to stablize Central Europe. Leftist populist movements begin rising. Bulgaria gets free reign of southern Europe barring Romania and new nations are formed from Russia like Poland and Lithuania. Germany stablizes Livonia Duchy while Finland is free. French soldiers head to Louisiana and contribute to growing leftist movements. Fusang asks Louisiana and Mexico for help in China, possibly resulting in earlier and stabler Republic of China under Sun Yat-Sen as President. Josephine likely dies with a son as heir.
- Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte IV of Louisiana (1920-1960): Inherits the throne older than his mother did. Helps guide the nation through the Roaring 20s and does not do Prohibition.He grew up in the pre-war era and tries to keep a form of Neo-Edwardian spirit up despite the new times. He exploits the Tejas Oil Boom to try and gain money needed for the people suffering from the Dust Bowl and to get food while also passing reforms to try and stave off the agitated populace who would be otherwise listening to the communist cries. Also may try and resolve any lingering racial tensions and promote himself on the people by touring Louisiana and helping to fund various new construction projects and cities. May marry Princess Victoria Louise or if Henry is his father, possible instead goes the radical way and marries a commoner, showing the changing of the times. Maybe even a woman of African descent if he was that bold/daring. Would try and help US maintain peace in the Americas during tough economic times and during the post-Great War era. Ottomans have stabilized thanks to German support and proceed to take more of Arabia thanks to discovering oil and gets all but the British colonies. Ottomans assists Ethiopia in Italo-Abyssinian Wars with Ethiopia getting Eritrea to spite the Italians and grow influence in Africa. Louisiana enters era of economic rivalry with US and begins influencing France's African colonial possessions in similar background. Also assist Mexico in maintaining order regarding the Mexican Canal. Guides nation through post-war world as they, the United States, Mexico, China and other nations begin eclipsing Europe. Possibly has a daughter.
- Empress Joséphine Bonaparte II of Louisiana (1960-present day): Inherits throne around age of de-colonization. Likely forms connection with former French colonies for economic purposes and continues father's work in improving Louisiana. Growing up in a time of change has her be somewhat radical in changes, especially if her mother was a commoner and thus more down to earth than her ancestors. Begins potental reparations if need be and over all is trying to race the United States in modernization and economics. Bonapartes likely still hold a position over in Mexico. Rise of irreligion or at least weakening of Catholic Church is accelerated further by Bonapartes. Likely inlfluences the French Guiana over time. Goes on to rule a relatively quiet yet prosperous era
So, why is the kid named Josèphine? If she's the daughter of Napoléon II (who was the son of Napoléon I's
second wife, Marie Louise), sorry, his age at succeeding makes it
impossible for Josèphine to be his mom? If he's never removed from his father's (which means Marie Louise probably goes to Louisiane
with her husband - her father and Metternich might have something to say about that though) care, he has no reason to make the remark "if Josèphine were my mother etc". Not to mention, your Napoléon II marries
pretty late since his daughter is around 25 in 1880, which means she would've been born in the 1850s. If Napoléon II was an only son like OTL, why's he only marrying when he's in his forties? Surely he should be finding a wife earlier? I'm assuming she's a "miracle child" with a mother in her late thirties/early forties, perhaps with a string of miscarriages/stillbirths before then, why hasn't her mom been set aside in favour of a "newer model" like Josèphine de Beauharnais was OTL?
Not to mention, her mom is unlikely to have been someone from Louisiana. Not if he's trying to prove they're a dynasty that "belongs" in the trade circle of kings. Napoléon I didn't look kindly on Lucien or Jerome's marriages to commoners. Nor is she likely to have married a Prussian (i.e. Protestant) prince. Napoléon may have been all about religious tolerance, but Louisiane is
pretty much ALL Catholic before being bought by the US. The French didn't allow Huguenots to go there, and the Spaniards didn't look too kindly on non-Catholic settlers. So a Prussian prince would've been unnecessarily antagonistic. Also, considering what Napoléon's plans (and I
think - don't quote me on this - this may have been in the Bonaparte "house laws" or the succession laws or constitution or somesuch) for
if he only had a daughter, said girl
was to succeed
him and be titled "emperor of the French" (as opposed to empress),
but she was also to marry a Bonaparte. His words to Hortense when the king of Rome was being born "and if it's a girl, she will marry your son [Louis], for she must not go out of France".