What was one of the primary goals of the French in colonizing the Americas?

One of the primary goals of the French in colonizing the Americas was the fur trade. Unlike some European powers that focused heavily on gold and precious metals, the French established a lucrative fur trading network, particularly in regions such as Canada and along the Mississippi River. They built relationships with Indigenous peoples, who were instrumental in trapping and trading fur-bearing animals. This trade became economically significant for France, enriching both the French crown and private fur companies.

In contrast, while gold mining was a major focus for the Spanish, the French were more focused on trade and resource extraction, particularly with natural resources available in the northern parts of North America. Religious conversion was indeed a goal for some French missionaries, but it was not the primary focus of colonization compared to the economic interests in the fur trade. Agricultural expansion was a part of colonial activities, but it didn't drive the French colonization efforts to the same extent as the fur trade did.