Answer:
D. protect French claims on land from the Spanish and the British.
Explanation:
The main reason why these two settlements were established was in order to protect French claims on land from the Spanish and the British. The French settlements also had the objective of establishing trade. The French were able to establish an important and lucrative fur trade. This also helped cement alliances between Europeans and Native American tribes. The establishment of these French settlements also had a lasting impact on the cultural legacy of the region.
