why did european countries sent colonists to the americas?

to ease over population

to convert the natives people to christianity

to collect taxes from the colonists

to gain control over americas rescources

All of above is the answer and I will tell you why.

In London at the time the population was seeping over the edge. Causing poverty and homelessness people were desperate to find more land.

Missionaries went to the Caribbean and the "the new land" also know North America to convert native Americans to Christianity

Collecting taxes was huge on the kings to do list. Collecting taxes meant power over the people. That's what the king (s) wanted money and power

Colonists were hoping for gold in North America for they couldn't find any where they were. Other then gold they knew the land was fertile and well taken care of by the Indians. We should've made peace more so then taking their land and recourses