Why was the Ohio River important to the French? A. It was essential for American Indian allies.
B. It provided a way to ship lumber for French shipbuilding.
C. It was close to an area that the British were turning into farmland.
D. It linked their Great Lakes claims with their settlements along the Mississippi River.

The rivers were their main way of traveling. The French wanted to control the American Indian trade in the Ohio River Valley and keep the Pennsylvania traders out. They also needed the American Indians living there to be their allies. ... His job was to keep control of the Ohio River – and to keep the British out.

Explanation:

answer; the region experienced a surplus of food;