Explain the following statement with reasons: European nations established colonies in America.

Answer: The statement is true.

• After Christopher Columbus reached America in 1492, Europeans learnt of a vast new continent rich in gold, silver, fertile land and forests.
• Spain conquered the Aztec empire of Mexico and the Inca empire of Peru and carried away huge treasures; Portugal took Brazil.
• England, France and Holland set up colonies in North America for land, fur, fish, timber and plantations of tobacco, sugar and cotton worked by African slaves.
• Religious persecution in Europe, the wish to spread Christianity, and rivalry among European nations for wealth and power also encouraged them to establish colonies in America.