How did the French approach to North American exploration differ from the Spanish?

The French approach to North American exploration was more focused on trade and alliances with Native Americans, unlike the Spanish who sought conquest and conversion.

The French and Spanish had different motivations and methods for their exploration and colonisation of North America. The Spanish, driven by a desire for wealth and religious conversion, pursued a policy of conquest. They sought to subjugate the native populations, convert them to Christianity, and extract wealth from the lands they conquered. This approach often led to violent conflicts and the decimation of native populations.

In contrast, the French were more interested in establishing trade networks, particularly in fur, and less focused on settlement or conversion. They often formed alliances with Native American tribes, learning their languages and customs, and intermarrying with them. This approach was less destructive to native populations and allowed the French to establish a vast trade network across North America.

The Spanish approach was characterised by the establishment of large, permanent settlements and the construction of missions and forts. They sought to create a 'New Spain' in the Americas, complete with a rigid social hierarchy and a strong military presence. The Spanish Crown granted land and native labour to Spanish settlers, who became the ruling class in these new societies.

On the other hand, the French approach was less focused on permanent settlement. They established smaller trading posts rather than large colonies, and their presence in North America was more scattered and less militarised. The French Crown did not grant land or labour to French settlers, who were often traders, trappers, and missionaries rather than landowners or soldiers.

In summary, the French and Spanish approaches to North American exploration were shaped by their different motivations and goals. The Spanish sought to conquer and convert, establishing large, permanent colonies and extracting wealth from the land and its people. The French, on the other hand, sought to trade and form alliances, establishing smaller, more scattered trading posts and causing less disruption to native populations.