The discovery of the Americas by Europeans significantly altered global trade by establishing new trade routes and markets. The Columbian Exchange prompted the transfer of crops, livestock, and goods between the Americas and Europe, dramatically impacting dietary practices and agricultural development. European nations began to exploit resources in the Americas, leading to the establishment of plantations and the transatlantic slave trade to meet labor demands. This exchange reshaped economic systems and initiated an era of globalization, with profound effects on cultures, economies, and demographics worldwide.