The document summarizes the major events of the Age of Early European Explorations and Conquests from the 15th to 17th centuries. It describes early explorations by the Portuguese along the west coast of Africa which led to the establishment of the Portuguese Maritime Empire. It also discusses Christopher Columbus' four voyages to the Americas and the beginning of Spanish conquests of Native American empires like the Aztecs and Incas. The document outlines the establishment of the trans-Atlantic slave trade and its triangular route between Europe, Africa, and the Americas which had devastating impacts on African societies.