[单项选择]
EUROPEAN SETTLEMENT OF NORTH AMERICA
1 The large-scale settlement of North America by Europeans began in the seventeenth century. France took the early lead in the contest for the temperate regions of North America. In 1608, the first permanent French colony was established at Quebec. In 1682, La Salle explored the Mississippi River and claimed the entire river system for France. But despite these early successes, there were never enough French settlers to make French North America a large center of population.
2 The Dutch under Henry Hudson explored the eastern coast of the continent and claimed a large area, including the river that was named after him. The Dutch colony of New Netherlands started with a few trading posts on the Hudson River, where New York City is now located, and expanded into enterprises in New Jersey, Delaware and Connecticut. The Dutch settlements suffered a lot of competition from the English,
A. The European powers wanted to conquer the native population.
B. There was great competition for control of land and resources.
C. The French and English armies wanted to test their new weapons.
D. The European nations were trying to spread their political systems.