How did the economic activities of new France compare to those of new Spain?

Answer 1

New France's economy was primarily based on fur trading, fishing, and agriculture, with a focus on establishing trade relationships with Indigenous peoples. In contrast, New Spain's economy was heavily reliant on mining, particularly silver extraction, as well as agriculture and the encomienda system, which exploited Indigenous labor. While New France emphasized trade and cooperative relations, New Spain's economic activities were more extractive and hierarchical in nature. This difference in economic focus reflected their distinct colonial strategies and interactions with Indigenous populations.