How England Funded Its Own Invasion By Napoleon
One of the shadiest real estate deals in history
“Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake.”
— Napoleon Bonaparte
The Louisiana Purchase might have been one of the greatest land acquisitions in history.
The United States purchased a large track of land from Napoleon Bonaparte’s France for $15 million in 1803, which equates to about 15 cents per acre according to the Library of Congress. This is generally where the story ends in most history classes. Some of the details may be explored, but it usually takes the form of an amazing real estate deal and ends there.
However, there was much more to the moment than just a simple purchase. There was intrigue, strategy, and almost a monumental blunder. In fact, a group of British banks funded Napoleon’s war against England and possibly paid for an invasion of their own island. What’s more, it appears the British government may have been on board with it.
As opposed to a real estate deal, the Louisiana Purchase might be one of the most documented cases of shady wheeling and dealing on a global scale the world has ever seen. The deal itself was likely more fit for a soap opera or an over the top mafia movie than a history book. At points it’s hard to…
