What major outcome resulted from the fur trade for European settlers?

The fur trade was a significant economic activity that facilitated the movement and settlement of European settlers in North America. As demand for fur, particularly beaver pelts, increased in Europe, settlers established trading posts and ventured further into the continent. This not only created economic opportunities but also encouraged the migration of families and individuals seeking prosperity associated with the fur trade.

The fur trade network required extensive cooperation with Indigenous peoples, leading to the establishment of relationships and interactions that would shape the trajectory of settlement patterns. As traders and settlers moved into new territories, they began to establish agricultural communities, towns, and infrastructure that would eventually lay the groundwork for future settlements.

While other options have merit in their historical context, such as the establishment of colonies or transportation developments, the direct result of the fur trade was primarily linked to the expansion of settlement. The fur trade was crucial in prompting European settlers to establish a presence across various regions, ultimately shaping North America's demographic and cultural landscape.