<Tr> <Th> Outcome </Th> <Td> Re-discovery and European colonization of the Americas </Td> </Tr> <P> In 1492, a Spanish - based transatlantic maritime expedition led by Christopher Columbus encountered the Americas, a continent which was previously unknown in Europe, leading to the colonization of the Americas . </P> <P> For a very long time, it was believed that Columbus and his crew had been the first Europeans to make landfall in the Americas . However, they were not the first explorers from Europe to reach the Americas, having been preceded by the Viking expedition led by Leif Erikson in the 11th century; however, Columbus's voyages led to the first ongoing European contact with the Americas, inaugurating a period of exploration, conquest, and colonization that has lasted several centuries . </P> <P> Columbus was an Italian - born navigator sailing for the Crown of Castile in search of a westward route to Asia, to access the sources of spices and other oriental goods . This led to the discovery of a New World between Europe and Asia . Columbus made a total of four voyages to the Americas between 1492 and 1502, setting the stage for the European exploration and colonization of the Americas, ultimately leading to the Columbian Exchange . </P>

Who discovered sea route from europe to america