Final answer:
Napoleon benefited from the sale of Louisiana by gaining financial resources to offset the costs of war, reducing strategic liabilities, and preventing the territory from possibly being taken by the British. The $11 million sale aided France's treasury and facilitated the U.S. in controlling vital trade routes and doubling its territory.
Step-by-step explanation:
Napoleon's decision to sell the Louisiana Territory stemmed from a series of challenges and strategic reassessments. After facing a crippling defeat in Haiti and sensing imminent war with Britain, Napoleon found the Louisiana Territory less valuable to his colonial aspirations. The Haitian Revolution, led by enslaved Black people, ended French hopes of using Louisiana as a food source for Haiti, which had been the most profitable sugar island.
The sale of the territory to the United States brought France 50 million francs, equivalent to about $11 million today, providing much-needed resources. This sum helped alleviate financial stresses caused by war expenses. Additionally, the sale prevented Louisiana from falling into British hands, which could have happened if war with Britain occurred and France was not able to defend the territory effectively.
Therefore, the transaction had multiple benefits for Napoleon including financial gain, the removal of a potential liability, and preserving French pride by choosing to sell instead of risking the territory being conquered. For the United States, the Louisiana Purchase was crucial as it granted control over New Orleans and the Mississippi river, vital for westward expansion and trade, and it effectively doubled the size of the nation.