Columbus first voyage seen as a turning point in history?

Columbus did not set out to discover a New World. He set out with a desire to expand the knowledge of the known sea and sea trade routes, to discover the riches of the Indies, to reap commercial success for Spain, and to increase his own wealth and the future prosperity of his family. While never knowing exactly what he had discovered, his voyage made other explorers willing to embark on voyages that would come to make up the Era of Discovery. He was the first and his voyages encouraged others.