The nations who either had or wanted to have colonies in the New World or Africa wanted these colonies to bring them a massive amount of natural resources and riches, such as cotton, tobacco, gold, silver, etc--which were wildly profitable.
Russia experienced food and fuel shortages
One distinction of the american infantry during the revolutionary war era was its use of Volley Fire.
Volley Fire is a military tactice developed with the advent of rifles and guns in the 16-17th Century.
In this tactic, a line of riflemen fire together and while they reload their weapons, another line of soldiers fire their weapons.
This is done to ensure constant firing, to make up for lost time in reloading and make up for missed shots.
The aim is to consistently be on the offensive.
It is most closely associated with the Dutch forces but was used by American forces against the British.