Why were the European nations mainly focused on the western hemisphere?

1) They needed to build up military bases for naval strength

2) They wanted the rich resources from the west

3) They established peaceful settlements for trade

4) They were wanting to have immigrants resettle the lands

The western hemisphere was full of untouched resources that the Europeans wanted and the native Americans had no use for. they would not be interested in naval bases here as it is too far from their own coutry, at least until it was colonized. They could care less about peaceful settlements in my opinion. And and they would not want immigrants to resettle land because those immigrants would be loyal to other countries.