The correct answer is B. At the beginning of the 16th century.
During the early 16th century, many European nations began sponsoring voyages of exploration across the Atlantic Ocean in search of new trading routes, resources, and lands to colonize. This period is known as the Age of Discovery or the Age of Exploration.
Some key events and expeditions that occurred at the beginning of the 16th century include:
- Christopher Columbus's four voyages to the Americas on behalf of Spain between 1492 and 1502. His discoveries led Spain to establish colonies and trade networks in the Caribbean and opened the door for future exploration.
- John Cabot's 1497 voyage, sponsored by England, during which he explored the eastern coast of Canada. This laid the foundation for England's colonization of North America.
- Vasco da Gama's 1498 sea route discovery from Portugal to India around the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa. This opened up trading access to Asia for Europeans.
- Pedro Álvares Cabral's 1500 landing in Brazil, leading to Portugal establishing the first European colony in South America.
- Amerigo Vespucci's voyages from 1499-1504, exploring and mapping the northeast coast of South America. His accounts popularized the concept that the Americas represented new lands entirely separate from Asia.
So in summary, the early 16th century marked the true beginning of ambitious oceanic voyages by European kingdoms and empires to explore, colonize, and dominate new territories across the world. This was enabled by developments in shipbuilding, navigation, and other technologies at the end of the 15th century.