Why did the french and the dutch establish colonies in north america?

sectionalism continues to divide the nation as the question of slavery being allowed in the mexican cession became a problem. -the results of the mexican war spark secession in the south because the north did not want to allow slavery in the territories won.

i heard they are taking it off i hope this isn't true but otherwise if it doesn't get taken off it will probably be in early december or early january of 2018-2019