The theme of this volume is colonization as a precursor to globalization. Starting from Italy, Spain and Portugal were initially active in European colonial expansion, followed by England, the Netherlands, and France. Since the attempts of Brandenburg-Prussia failed, the German Empire only became a colonial power at the end of the 19th century. An overview will first illuminate the emergence and growth of colonial empires until their end, spanning the background for their establishment in the late Middle Ages to decolonization in the 20th century, although the focus is on the Early Modern period. This broad topic not only provides insight into processes and economic interconnections but also considers individual fates and selected source testimonies. There are references to the culture, cuisine, and music of Europe.