They planted European crops, chased out animals that Native Americans hunted, and enslaved many Native Americans to mine for gold and work on large plantations.
The French took over due trade in the northern part of America (now Canada ).the Spanish took over the western part of what is now the USA and the British took over what are now the eastern and central parts of the USA and some of the spun therm parts of what now is Canada for manufacturing and exporting raw materials back to Great Britain.
Because their actions and powers affect our society greatly. And because our country NEEDS congress to govern. Our country may be in chaos if it suddenly disappeared.
