Final answer:
Spanish, French, Dutch, and British colonization methods were similar in their pursuit of economic goals but differed in relations with American Indians and had distinct demographic and settlement patterns, with the Spanish and British creating settlement colonies while the French and Dutch focused on trade.
Step-by-step explanation:
When comparing the Spanish, French, Dutch, and British methods of colonization in the Americas, we see similarities and differences in their economic goals, relations with American Indians, and demographic features and patterns of settlement. All four colonial powers had economic interests at the heart of their colonial endeavors. The Spanish and Portuguese sought to establish settlement colonies that directly mirrored their mother countries' societal structures and were tightly controlled politically and economically, envisioning their colonies to be extensions of Spain and Portugal. In contrast, the French and Dutch focused largely on trade—such as the fur trade—and sought to undermine Spanish power through economic competition rather than direct conflict.
Relations with American Indians differed among these powers: for instance, the Spanish imposed a harsh labor system whereas the French and Dutch were more likely to engage in trade and alliances with Native Americans. This difference in approach to indigenous relations led to varying degrees of cultural and genetic intermixing and different legacies in the treatment of native populations.
The demographic features and settlement patterns were also distinct: the Spanish and British tended to establish larger, more diverse colonies with settlers aiming to recreate their homelands, whereas the French and Dutch were more focused on smaller trading posts and strategic economic footholds.