In the late 15th century, Europe stood on the brink of an Age of Discovery. Motivated by curiosity, the desire for new trade routes and goods, the ambition to spread Christianity, and the pursuit of glory, explorers like Christopher Columbus, John Cabot, and Amerigo Vespucci embarked on perilous journeys across uncharted oceans. These explorers ventured westwards, propelled by advancements in navigational tools like the compass and astrolabe, and improvements in ship design. Their voyages led them to the Americas, a vast, diverse land brimming with indigenous cultures and untapped resources. The interactions between the European explorers and the indigenous peoples were complex, often marked by conflict but also by moments of cultural exchange. However, the arrival of Europeans brought devastating diseases that decimated native populations, an inadvertent yet tragic consequence of exploration. Despite the undeniable harm, the Age of Discovery also precipitated a period of immense global change. The Columbian exchange, as it came to be known, introduced new foods, ideas, and technologies to both the Old and New Worlds, forever altering the course of human history.