Answer: to stay out of European affairs
<span>-French North American mainland territory had been unproductive and costly to maintain in past wars, something that Napoleon knew he could not afford in the upcoming wars.
</span><span> -Britain had already declared war on France, surely part of the reason was to try and encourage better Franco-American relations. Surely Napoleon had some idea of American pride and stubbornness as well, once the U.S. controlled the territory </span>
<span>-</span><span>Napoleon knew that there was no way any European power (Britain specifically) would conquer the territory. </span>
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Napoleon needed money and the sale of the Louisiana territory brought France some much needed capital. </span>
It's a representative democracy-- it operates on the will of the people, but everyone does not have a direct hand in the government (Americans elect their leaders who will then make legislation for them and perform other duties on their behalf).
