Final answer:
France had political motives for seeking new territory, including strengthening central government, economic gain, and defense of revolutionary ideals.
Step-by-step explanation:
France had various political motives for seeking new territory throughout its history. One motive was to strengthen its central government and increase royal power. By acquiring more land under direct royal control, French monarchs could enhance their resources and have more influence in conflicts with vassals and the church.
Another political motive was economic gain. European nations, including France, aimed to extract wealth from their colonies by exploiting raw materials. France granted a monopoly over the fur trade in Canada and imposed a sales tax on traders, thus profiting from colonial economic activities.
Additionally, in the context of revolutionary France, the political motive for territory expansion was to fight against external threats and protect revolutionary ideas. France declared war on Austria in 1792 to defend the newly established republic and ensure the survival of the revolution.