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Columbus' arrival in the New World marked the beginning of extensive European exploration and colonization of the Americas, sparking an era of transatlantic exploration. -
By reaching India by sea, Vasco da Gama opened direct trade routes to Asia, bypassing the overland routes controlled by Middle Eastern empires. This facilitated the exchange of goods, ideas, and cultures. -
Magellan’s expedition was the first successful attempt to circumnavigate the globe. It proved that the Earth was round and connected across vast oceanic distances. -
Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés’ defeat of the Aztec Empire introduced European influence into the Americas, leading to the massive influx of European settlers and the spread of Christianity. -
The establishment of the first permanent English settlement in North America marked the beginning of sustained British colonization and the expansion of European influence across the Americas. -
As one of the first multinational corporations, the Dutch East India Company helped establish the first true global trade networks, focusing on spices, silk, and other valuable goods from Asia. -
The Industrial Revolution revolutionized transportation, production, and communication, speeding up global trade and transforming economies. It allowed European powers to extend their reach worldwide. -
The end of the transatlantic slave trade by Britain marked a turning point in the global movement toward human rights and the beginning of international efforts to eliminate the practice. -
The Suez Canal connected the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea, creating a shortcut between Europe and Asia that revolutionized global shipping routes and trade. -
The fall of the Soviet Union marked the end of the Cold War and the opening of previously closed markets to the global economy, accelerating the spread of globalization and free-market capitalism worldwide.