What are the consequences of European expansion?

European expansion led to significant consequences, including the widespread colonization of various regions, which often resulted in the exploitation and displacement of indigenous populations. It facilitated the exchange of goods, ideas, and cultures, known as the Columbian Exchange, but also introduced diseases that devastated local communities. Economically, it contributed to the rise of European powers and the establishment of global trade networks, while also laying the groundwork for systemic inequalities and colonial legacies that persist today. Additionally, it sparked conflicts both among European nations and between colonizers and indigenous peoples.