Final answer:
C) La Salle
King Louis XIV granted permission to explore the Mississippi River to René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, expanding French claims in North America.
Step-by-step explanation:
To whom did King Louis XIV grant permission to explore the Mississippi River? The answer is C) La Salle. King Louis XIV granted permission to explore the Mississippi River to René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, expanding French claims in North America.
French explorer René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, was granted permission by King Louis XIV of France to explore the Mississippi River in the late 17th century. His expedition aimed to establish fur trade routes and assert French claims to territories in North America. La Salle ultimately claimed the entire Mississippi River basin for France, naming it Louisiana in honor of the king. This exploration was pivotal in expanding New France and establishing French presence in North America.