In 1492, Christopher Columbus embarked on his voyage, reaching the Americas and initiating an influx of precious metals into Europe. This event marked the beginning of extensive European exploration and colonization, profoundly altering global trade and geopolitics. Columbus' journey not only opened new territories for exploitation but also set the stage for cultural exchanges and conflicts that would shape the modern world.

Columbus' voyage in 1492 and the subsequent wealth from the New World profoundly impacted early modern literature. Poets like Shakespeare and John Milton incorporated themes of exploration and economic change into their works, reflecting the transformative effects of colonialism on European society.