The French Were the First to Explore and Build Forts

The French were the first to explore and build forts and outposts in the Great Lakes region. What advantage did this give them as they vied with Britain for control of North America?

A) It meant that the French would have control of such a large swath of land that they would not need to regularly interact with Native Americans.
B) It allowed them to be the first Europeans to have control over Texas, as the Mississippi River connects to the Gulf of Mexico.
C) It gave French explorers access to the Mississippi watershed and the vast heartland of the continent and its fur trade.
D) It allowed the French to mine gold in the region of modern Iowa, which allowed them to surpass the Spanish in the trade of gold and silver.
E) It was of little consequence because the lakes and rivers were unnavigable to boats during this period.