Who was Christopher Columbus and what was his impact on the Americas?

Christopher Columbus was an Italian explorer whose voyages in the late 15th century played a crucial role in opening up the Americas to European exploration and colonization. While he was sponsored by Spain, his background as an Italian navigator is essential to understanding his impact. Columbus set sail across the Atlantic Ocean in 1492, aiming to find a westward route to Asia. Instead, he encountered the islands of the Caribbean, which were previously unknown to most Europeans.

His expeditions marked the beginning of sustained European exploration and colonization of the American continents. The voyages not only led to the establishment of European settlements but also initiated profound and lasting changes for both the indigenous populations and Europe itself, leading to the Columbian Exchange—an exchange of goods, crops, and even diseases between the Old and New Worlds. Columbus's expeditions fundamentally transformed the global economy and trade patterns, establishing a transatlantic connection that would shape world history for centuries to come.