The discovery of America in 1492 had a significant impact on Europe by initiating widespread exploration, colonization, and the exchange of goods, cultures, and ideas, known as the Columbian Exchange. It led to increased wealth for European powers through the acquisition of resources such as gold, silver, and agricultural products like maize and potatoes, which transformed European diets. This also intensified rivalries among European nations, ultimately leading to colonial empires. Additionally, the influx of new lands and wealth fueled the shifts in economic and political power, promoting the rise of capitalism and causing social changes that would shape the modern world.