In the new world the era of western colonialism was initiated by

The era of western colonialism initiated with the discovery of the American continent by the expedition led by the Genovese navigator Cristopher Columbus in 1492.

After a series of failed attempts to get funding from diverse monarchies, he ultimately received the aid from the Crown of Castille (Spain). He left Spain with 3 ships on August 1492 and arrived in an island int he Bahamas in October 1492. He would then make 3 additional voyages to the newly found continent.