The influence of the Spice Trade on European exploration was profound, as it drove nations like Portugal and Spain to seek new trade routes to access valuable spices from the East. This quest for spices led to the discovery of new lands and the establishment of maritime empires. Explorers such as Christopher Columbus and Vasco da Gama were motivated by the potential for profit, which spurred advancements in navigation and shipbuilding. Consequently, the Spice Trade not only expanded European commerce but also initiated the era of colonization, significantly impacting global history.