Why did Samuel De Champlain explore?

Samuel de Champlain explored in the early 17th century primarily to establish French colonies in North America and expand the fur trade. He was also seeking a northwest passage to Asia and hoping to find a route to China and Japan. Additionally, Champlain was driven by a desire to spread Christianity and convert indigenous peoples to Catholicism. His explorations laid the foundation for French colonization in Canada and the Great Lakes region.