Final answer:
The Spanish, French, and English operated their American colonies differently. The Spanish had a direct system of governance, while the British established self-government. The French and Dutch focused on trade and aimed to weaken Spanish control.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Spanish, French, and English operated their American colonies in different ways. The Spanish had a direct system of governance, with appointed officials, such as viceroys and governors, who followed laws created by the Council of the Indies in Spain.
The British colonists, on the other hand, had a sense of self-government, with their own legislatures and town-hall meetings. The French and Dutch primarily focused on trade in the Americas and aimed to weaken Spanish control through economic means.