Why did spain and france establish colonies in the americas? (was it so the didn’t have to pay a tax when they went to trade in asia? )

These began a movement for colonial independence that spread to Spain's other colonies in the Americas. The ideas from the French and the American Revolution influenced the efforts. The British Empire offered support, wanting to end the Spanish monopoly on trade with its colonies in the Americas.

hope this helps!

Not really, while that may have been a motivation, it was more for its vast resources, land, and bragging rights between the European countries.

norsemen from northern countries had made earlier journeys

where's the