Final answer:
The global approach to ocean studies began with Christopher Columbus's voyage in 1492, signaling the Age of Discovery, which contributed to globalization and the exploration of new territories by European nations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The global approach to ocean studies began with the voyage of Christopher Columbus in 1492. This marked the start of the Age of Discovery, a period that saw European powers like Spain and Portugal seeking new territories and maritime routes to Asia and the Americas. Columbus's expeditions were soon followed by other explorers like Vasco da Gama and Bartolomeu Dias who sought to circumvent the land-based trade routes previously dominated by Islamic middlemen after the fall of Constantinople to the Ottomans in 1453.
The expansion of European presence in the Atlantic Ocean during the early sixteenth century opened up connections between disparate regions of the world, leading to globalization and significant economic growth for European nations. This era of exploration not only charted new territories but also established a global web of trade, culture, and religion. Moreover, it set the stage for future colonization and the modern-day world order.
The monumental voyage of Ferdinand Magellan's fleet, which circumnavigated the globe, further confirmed the massive scale of the earth and the existence of entirely new land masses separate from Asia. Their journey, though arduous with the majority of the crew perishing, provided invaluable knowledge about our planet and its oceans.