Final answer:
European maritime exploration from the 15th to 17th centuries was characterized by advancements in seafaring technology, global trade expansion, and cultural exchanges, largely led by Spain and Portugal. It marked the beginning of modern globalization, with significant impacts on world trade, politics, and culture.
Step-by-step explanation:
The main trends during the European maritime period included significant advancements in navigation and shipbuilding, extended trade networks, encounters and exchanges with diverse cultures, and eventual colonization. The Age of Exploration was marked by Spain and Portugal leading the way in technological innovations in seafaring, driven by the goals of expanding trade, spreading Christianity, and seeking alternative routes to the Indies. This period, spanning from the 15th to the 17th century, is notable for the ambitious transatlantic voyages and the quest for an all-water route to Asia to bypass Muslim middlemen after the fall of Constantinople.
The Portuguese began exploring the Atlantic in the early 1400s, finding new sea routes to India and the Americas, which were soon followed by expeditions from other European nations. These discoveries catalyzed global trade and had profound impacts including the spread of disease, invasion, and the increase of Christian religion, which brought significant economic growth to Europe. The Age of Discovery paved the way for modern globalization and influenced the socio-political landscape that shaped our world today.