Even though many European countries would establish colonies in the New World, initially no one would exploit the Americas more thoroughly and more greatly benefit than the Spanish. With the advent (Links to an external site.) of these voyages, we see the beginnings of significant changes in several areas.
First, there were major changes in world population. In the Americas, indigenous (Links to an external site.) populations suffered nearly immediate large losses due to conflict and disease brought by Europeans. Over the next three hundred years there would be a huge involuntary (Links to an external site.) relocation of perhaps 12 million enslaved Africans to the Americas as well the voluntary movement of several million European immigrants.
Second, the transplanted (Links to an external site.) English settlers in the Americas would develop ideas about representative (Links to an external site.) government and religious tolerance that would, over the centuries, be chosen as ideals for other groups around the world.
Third, for the first time in history, there would be trans-oceanic empires established.
Fourth, Columbus’ voyages were the starting mark for a commercial (Links to an external site.) competition between European countries that would firmly establish the capitalistic (Links to an external site.) enterprise (Links to an external site.) system.
And finally, just at a time when the institutions of serfdom (Links to an external site.) and slavery were diminishing in Europe, the demand for labor in “New World” agricultural enterprises would see the resurgence (Links to an external site.) of forced labor on a scale never before seen.