Vain suppositions.
In the 17th and 18th centuries the Germans didn't have a central State with a competitive navy to conqueer and colonize overseas territories of their own. (*)
France had, but birth rate was too low to allow any significant emigration. Already in the mid-1700's France had a net immigration balance (chiefly from Dutch, Italian and German countries).
When New France fell, there were less than 100,000 in North America, nearly all of them concentrated along the St-Lawrence (French control over Louisiana was barely more than nominal, with tiny farmer communities scattered over immense territories and military patrols passing by every odd year). Meanwhile, British colonists were about 3 million people, while demographic growth in the British Isles continued unabated at a tremendous pace.
It's the demographics, stupid!
(*) Germany's only attempt took place in the late 19th century in South-West Africa, much too late.
In the 17th and 18th centuries the Germans didn't have a central State with a competitive navy to conqueer and colonize overseas territories of their own. (*)
France had, but birth rate was too low to allow any significant emigration. Already in the mid-1700's France had a net immigration balance (chiefly from Dutch, Italian and German countries).
When New France fell, there were less than 100,000 in North America, nearly all of them concentrated along the St-Lawrence (French control over Louisiana was barely more than nominal, with tiny farmer communities scattered over immense territories and military patrols passing by every odd year). Meanwhile, British colonists were about 3 million people, while demographic growth in the British Isles continued unabated at a tremendous pace.
It's the demographics, stupid!
(*) Germany's only attempt took place in the late 19th century in South-West Africa, much too late.