Which country primarily pursued fur trapping as a motive for exploration in North America?

The primary motivation for exploration in North America driven by fur trapping is largely attributed to France. In the early 17th century, French explorers, such as Samuel de Champlain, were significantly involved in the fur trade, particularly with Native American tribes. The demand for beaver pelts in Europe during this time created a thriving economy based on fur trapping and trade, leading the French to establish extensive trade networks. These connections allowed France to exert influence over large areas of North America, especially in regions like Canada and the Great Lakes, which were rich in the animal populations necessary for fur.

French explorers and traders developed productive alliances with Indigenous peoples, learning trapping techniques and trade practices that would benefit both parties. This focus on the fur trade distinguished France's exploration from that of other European nations, who had different primary motives, such as colonization or extraction of precious metals.