What was the primary motivation behind the French approach to Native Americans?

The primary motivation behind the French approach to Native Americans centered on the goals of religious conversion and trade. French explorers and settlers, influenced by Catholicism, often sought to convert Native Americans to Christianity. However, their engagement with Indigenous peoples was characterized by relatively cooperative relationships, particularly in the context of trade. The French focused on forming alliances with Native American tribes, recognizing their knowledge of the land and their existing trade networks. This partnership was essential for the fur trade, a significant economic activity for the French in North America.

While trade motivated many interactions, the dual aim of fostering relationships for commerce and pursuing religious conversion defined the French approach. Therefore, this answer captures the nuanced nature of French colonial policy, which emphasized mutual benefit and engagement over outright conquest or the establishment of large agricultural plantations, as seen in other colonial approaches.