During the eighteenth century, both spain and france steadily lost interest in their north american empires. true of false

False.

Explanation:

During the eighteenth century both Spain and France had very important commercial interests in North America. Spain colonized America because they were searching for gold and silver and as a matter of fact they did find a lot of gold and silver when they conquered the Aztec and Inca Empires.  

After that major growth in power they started sending expeditions to North America and focused in finding land for crops such as tobacco. By the eighteenth century, Spain controlled vast territories in current California, Arizona, New Mexico, part of Louisiana and almost the entire territory of Florida.

France colonized North America because of the great amount of furs they found there.  The French traded with the Indians for furs that they then took back and sold in Europe because people were willing to pay a lot of money for furs in Europe. By the eighteenth century the fur trade was flourishing and France controlled a huge section of Newfoundland, Quebec and certain strategic cities for commerce such as Jacksonville, Detroit, Montreal and New Orleans amongst others.