Final answer:
The colonization of Louisiana was rough due to environmental challenges like its hot, swampy conditions, and economic limitations related to trade and the shallowness of the Mississippi River at certain points. Spain's earlier claim did not directly affect French colonization efforts as they had ceded control to France before the United States purchased the territory.
Step-by-step explanation:
Colonizing Louisiana was challenging for several reasons. The French found the region to be hot, swampy, and difficult for certain types of trade due to the shallow areas of the Mississippi River at points. Additionally, the river flooding often presented obstacles. Louisiana's colonization was not significantly hampered by Spain's claim as they had ceded control over to France before the United States purchased the territory. Whereas Spain once controlled New Orleans, the Spanish ceded Louisiana to France, which included the valuable port of New Orleans. The shift in control resulted in the loss of the right for the United States to deposit goods free in the port, which led to tensions and calls for action against France. Moreover, the goal of the French colonization was centered around trading, particularly for furs, which indicates that the difficulties were not due to an already established European power's claim but more because of environmental challenges and economic limitations.