European Exploration of the Americas

The European exploration of the Americas, beginning in the late 15th century, marked a pivotal moment in global history. Driven by the pursuit of new trade routes and the spread of Christianity, explorers such as Christopher Columbus, John Cabot, and Amerigo Vespucci embarked on voyages that opened the New World to European powers.

These expeditions resulted in the establishment of colonies and the exchange of goods, ideas, and cultures, known as the Columbian Exchange. However, this period also initiated profound demographic changes, including the displacement of Indigenous populations and the onset of transatlantic slavery.