Answer:
Systematic European colonization began in 1492, when a Spanish expedition headed by the Italian explorer Christopher Columbus sailed west to find a new trade route to the Far East but inadvertently landed in what came to be known to Europeans as the "New World".
Step-by-step explanation:
There were four key European countries that colonized North America. ... Several European countries followed the trip made by Columbus in search of new trade routes to Asia. They ended up colonizing North America for different economic reasons. Spain colonized America because they were searching for gold and silver.
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