Final answer:
Between the 1500s and 1700s, France and Great Britain were competing for resources, wealth, and influence in the New World. Their rivalry, influenced by mercantilism, led to the establishment of colonies and control over trade, culminating in the decisive British victory in the Seven Years' War.
Step-by-step explanation:
Competition in the New World: France and Great Britain
From the 1500s to the 1700s, France and Great Britain were competitors in a race to expand their empires by exploring and colonizing the New World. The competition between these two nations was part of a broader struggle for power and wealth that spanned various regions, including North America. This contest was driven by the desire to control resources, establish profitable colonies, and spread their respective influences.
Great Britain focused on establishing family farms, raising crops and animals, and cultivating cash crops like tobacco in the South. Meanwhile, France directed its efforts towards the fur trade, particularly trading beaver pelts with Native Americans. This divergent focus on trade and agriculture set the stage for the ensuing conflicts, such as the Seven Years' War, which concluded with the Treaty of Paris in 1763, resulting in British dominance over former French territories in North America.
Mercantilism played a significant role in the expansion of both empires, leading to the establishment of numerous colonies and the exploitation of resources. The race to expand influence in the New World was also a battle for controlling the lucrative trade networks and ensuring economic superiority through colonial wealth.