Answer:
France established colonies in North America as a way to aid their trading with the Native Americans. French trading outposts had already been established in North America as a way to obtain furs and other resources for export. Establishing colonies such as New Orleans allowed for the consolidation of trading at a port.
Explanation:
establishing colonies also allowed these powers to claim territorial boundaries that would hopefully exclude encroachment by other powers. In addition, adding to the number of recognized colonies was a way for the major powers to obtain prestige or recognition of their status.