One economic motivation behind the European imperialism of the 19th century was obtaining raw materials. They also gained markets for manufactured products. The colonized people equaled slaves and low wage labor.
The French navy served as an invaluable ally to the fledgling American fleet and French land forces helped win the decisive battle of the war—victory at Yorktown. Like France, Spain provided aid to the colonists in the form of funding, as well as by fighting Britain on a second front. Hope this helps
