# Louisiana sold to the United States (1803)

URL: https://history-france.com/timeline/1803-louisiana-sold-to-the-united-states
Location: North America

France sold the vast Louisiana territory, ending Napoleon’s principal continental ambitions in North America. Within the broader Consulate & Napoleonic Empire period, Napoleon consolidated many revolutionary reforms while concentrating power, building an empire and waging continental war. French institutions and armies reshaped Europe before military defeat restored the Bourbons. At this point in the timeline, the relevant governing authority is Napoleon Bonaparte (First Consul). Louisiana sold to the United States mattered because it reshaped France’s external relationships, territory or place in wider international systems. The event is positioned here so visitors can read it alongside changes in government, warfare, society, religion, culture and France’s wider international setting.

## Why it matters
Louisiana sold to the United States mattered because it reshaped France’s external relationships, territory or place in wider international systems.

Ruler at the time: [Napoleon Bonaparte](https://history-france.com/rulers/napoleon-bonaparte)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia topic lookup — Louisiana sold to the United States](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Search?search=Louisiana+sold+to+the+United+States&go=Go)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Louisiana sold to the United States](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Louisiana+sold+to+the+United+States)
- [Vie-publique — French institutions and history](https://www.vie-publique.fr/)