What economic impact did European expansion have on the world?

The correct answer highlights how European expansion during the Age of Exploration significantly transformed global economies by linking disparate regions into an interconnected economic system. As European powers established colonies and trade routes, they facilitated the exchange of goods, resources, and ideas between Europe, the Americas, Africa, and Asia. This integration resulted in the emergence of a global market where commodities such as sugar, tobacco, spices, and slaves were exchanged.

This interconnectedness laid the groundwork for contemporary globalization and economic interdependence. Regions that were previously isolated began to engage in commerce, leading to the exchange of not only goods but also cultural practices and technological innovations. This network of trade and interaction fundamentally reshaped economic structures worldwide and had lasting consequences on the global distribution of wealth and resources.