Final answer:
The French and Dutch rivalry in North America during the seventeenth century centered on competition for the lucrative fur trade and control over land. Both powers aimed to extend their influence and increase their profits by trading furs, which led to their bitter rivalry.
Step-by-step explanation:
The rivalry between the French and Dutch in North America during the seventeenth century primarily revolved around the fur trade. France and the Netherlands both established colonies in North America with a strong focus on commercial operations, notably in trading furs, which was a lucrative business at the time. French fur traders and missionaries explored extensively, while the Dutch consolidated their presence in more restricted areas such as Manhattan Island, Long Island, the Hudson River Valley, and what became New Jersey.
However, it wasn’t just economic competition that fueled the rivalry. The colonies also imported enslaved Africans and had different policies regarding religious freedom and immigration, which added layers to their relationship. Ultimately, the bitter rivalry between the French and Dutch could be attributed to their competition over land and the control of the fur trade, with each European power seeking to extend its influence and maximize its profits from these endeavors.