There were several factors in Napoleon’s decision to sell the Louisiana Purchase to the United States. At one time he dreamed of having a vast overseas empire, but his problems in Haiti convinced him that it was not a good idea. He also needed to raise some funds for his domestic reforms and military operations in Europe. Finally, he saw the young United States as a counter-balance to his arch-nemesis, Great Britain. By doubling the size of the US he gave it the gravitas to challenge British domination of North America.