What caused France and the Netherlands to take long setting up colonies in Americas?

* Religious wars: France was embroiled in a series of religious wars between Catholics and Protestants from the 1560s to the 1590s. These wars drained the country's resources and made it difficult to focus on overseas colonization.

* Economic problems: France's economy was also in poor shape in the 16th and 17th centuries. The country was saddled with debt, and inflation was rampant. This made it difficult for the French government to raise the money needed to finance colonization efforts.

* Political instability: France also experienced a period of political instability in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. The country was ruled by a series of weak kings, and the government was often paralyzed by factionalism. This made it difficult for the French to develop a coherent and consistent policy of colonization.

Netherlands

* War with Spain: The Netherlands was engaged in a long and bloody war with Spain from 1568 to 1648. This war drained the country's resources and made it difficult to focus on overseas colonization.

* Economic problems: The Netherlands' economy was also in poor shape in the 16th and 17th centuries. The country was heavily dependent on trade, and the war with Spain disrupted its trade routes. This led to a decline in economic activity and made it difficult for the Dutch to raise the money needed to finance colonization efforts.

* Political instability: The Netherlands also experienced a period of political instability in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. The country was ruled by a series of stadtholders, or governors, who were often at odds with the States-General, or parliament. This made it difficult for the Dutch to develop a coherent and consistent policy of colonization.

Despite these challenges, both France and the Netherlands eventually managed to establish successful colonies in the Americas. However, their late start meant that they were always at a disadvantage compared to the English, who had begun colonizing the Americas in the early 16th century.