At the outset, North America was controlled by the French, Spanish, British, Dutch, and Swedish.
Quickly, though, the Dutch and Swedish sold their claims to the British and North America was controlled by the French, Spanish, and British.
Each was looking for resources but also for land to expand their empire.
It has been said that Europe was busting at the seams prior to the Age of Discovery and famine and disease were rampant.
The colonization of North America changed that as the land was limitless, as long as you could take it from the Native Americans.
