The document discusses the early French settlements in North America including: 1) Samuel de Champlain recognized the need to form alliances with local Native American tribes like the Montagnais, Algonquin, and Huron to support the small trading post established in Quebec in 1608. 2) The French settlers depended on the fur trade and good relations with Native Americans but alliances with some tribes created enemies of others like the Iroquois. 3) By the late 17th century, the French expanded further south and west, establishing Louisiana to secure the Mississippi River valley and Gulf of Mexico for France.