What did the competition between the European powers cause or lead to

England, France and the Netherlands sent expeditions to explore new commercial routes and to establish colonies in America, Asia and Africa. These powers soon entered into a bitter struggle to impose their supremacy on colonies and trade routes. Long and repetitive wars resulted from their competition.

The committee charged with writing the Declaration of Independence reviewed the original draft and changed very little of it, since Jefferson had done such a good job. Although they did "take down" the rhetoric against Britain a bit.