christopher colombus
The first known Europeans to reach the Americas were the Vikings (Norse) during the 11th century, who established several colonies in Greenland.
God, Gold, & Glory
The Spanish started colonies in the Caribbean, Mexico and Central/South America in the early sixteenth century.
European colonies brought riches and labor to Europe. It also presented a new place for Europeans to move to, in order to start a new. This was more successful in the First Age of Imperialism, which focused on the Americas. The Second Age of Imperialism, focusing on Africa and Asia, did not bring about much immigration of Europeans.
Britain
he wanted to establish french colonies
Spain was able to establish colonies in large areas of both continents.
The Europeans didn't send tobacco nor sugar to the colonies, but got it FROM the colonies. They couldn't grow sugar cane nor tobacco in Europe because it is too cold.
English, Spanish, French
spread Christianity around the world
The French and the Dutch instead discovered rivers and founded successful colonies.
The Americas had generally good soil. Cash Crops were planted. ... Also, the more territory a country owned (still relatively true today) the more powerful it was(/is). [p.s.: Please check another website to be sure. I am not one hundred percent positive on this answer. But it's better than whoever wrote "I don't really know"]