Final answer:
Christopher Columbus, employed by Spain, found the path to Asia by navigating westward and instead discovered the Americas in 1492. This milestone marked a critical point in the Age of Exploration and shifted trade from overland routes to maritime ones.
Step-by-step explanation:
The path to Asia, navigating westward, was found by Christopher Columbus, an Italian sea captain in the service of Spain. Columbus set sail in 1492, aiming to find a westward route to India, but instead stumbled upon the Americas. His voyages marked a significant event in history, leading to the Age of Exploration and the eventual establishment of European colonies in the newly discovered lands.
European nations, particularly Spain and Portugal, were keen to find new trade routes following the capture of Constantinople by the Ottomans in 1453, which challenged their access to Eastern goods. With the closure of overland trade routes, such as the Silk Road, which had become more dangerous and less reliable after the decline of the Mongol Empire, an all-water route to Asia became highly desirable for European merchants and monarchs alike. The successful maritime expeditions ultimately led to a shift in global trade patterns and had profound effects on the course of world history.