Which European country primarily established fur trading posts in North America?

The correct answer is France because French explorers and traders were particularly focused on establishing fur trading networks in North America, especially in regions that are now Canada and parts of the northern United States. The French approach to colonization emphasized trade and cooperation with Indigenous peoples, who were integral to the fur trade. This led to the establishment of numerous trading posts, such as Fort Frontenac and Quebec, where fur could be exchanged and the trade could be facilitated with local Native American tribes. The French engaged in extensive fur trapping and trading, making their commercial endeavors in North America heavily reliant on this lucrative resource.

In contrast, while England did establish colonies and engage in trade, its primary focuses were on agriculture and settlement rather than chiefly fur trading. Spain was more inclined towards resource extraction, such as gold and silver, in its colonies, and the Netherlands had a brief presence in North America primarily through the establishment of New Amsterdam, but did not focus on fur trading to the extent that the French did. So, the emphasis on the French fur trade illustrates their strategic economic interests in North America during the colonial period.