Entdeckungszeitraum

Entdeckungszeitraum, German for "discovery period," generally refers to the era of European exploration and colonialism that spanned roughly from the 15th to the 18th centuries. This period was characterized by significant maritime expeditions undertaken by European powers to chart unknown territories, establish trade routes, and expand their influence across the globe. Key figures like Christopher Columbus, Ferdinand Magellan, and Vasco da Gama embarked on voyages that led to the European "discovery" and subsequent colonization of the Americas, parts of Africa, and Asia. The motivations behind these expeditions were multifaceted, including the pursuit of wealth through trade in spices and precious metals, religious zeal, and national prestige. The Entdeckungszeitraum had profound and lasting impacts on global history, leading to the Columbian Exchange, the transatlantic slave trade, and the redrawing of political and economic maps of the world. It fundamentally altered relationships between different continents and peoples, initiating an era of globalization and interconnectedness that continues to shape the modern world. The term itself carries connotations of European-centric perspective, as the lands explored were already inhabited by indigenous populations.