Why did the French attack Fort Caroline?

The French attacked Fort Caroline in 1565 primarily to eliminate a competing Spanish presence in Florida, as they sought to establish their own colony in the region. The fort, established by the French Huguenots under Jean Ribault, posed a strategic threat to Spanish claims in Florida. Spanish leader Pedro Menéndez de Avilés launched the attack to assert Spanish dominance and protect their interests in the area, leading to the fort's capture and ultimately the defeat of the French settlers. This conflict marked a significant moment in the colonial struggle between France and Spain in the New World.