The French and Spanish approached their interactions with indigenous populations in the New World quite differently, with each focusing on distinct objectives and methods.
The Spanish, driven by a quest for conquest, wealth, and conversion to Christianity, often used forceful tactics and established a system of encomienda—a form of labor exploitation where indigenous people were required to work for Spanish settlers. This led to significant population decline among native communities due to violence, disease, and harsh working conditions.
In contrast, the French sought to establish trade relationships and often engaged in more cooperative approaches with indigenous groups, particularly through alliances in the fur trade. They tended to respect indigenous land and territorial claims more than the Spanish and often intermarried with native populations, which fostered relatively friendly relations compared to the often oppressive Spanish rule.
In summary, while the Spanish focused on conquest and assimilation through force, the French emphasized trade and alliances, resulting in a more collaborative relationship with the indigenous peoples.