Why did the french traders arrive in Santa Fe?

Answer 1

French traders arrived in Santa Fe primarily to engage in the fur trade and expand their commercial interests in the region. The area was strategically located along trade routes, providing access to valuable resources and connections with Indigenous groups. Additionally, the French sought to establish a foothold in the Southwest to compete with Spanish and later American influences in the territory. This move was part of broader efforts to explore and exploit the economic potential of North America.