Colonization of the Americas by the European starting in the early 1500s led to extermination of entire populations of Amerindians such as the Aztecs, Mayans and others through disease and conquest. It also led to foundation of modern nations on the continents such as USA, Canada, Bolivia, Venezuela, Mexico and others. Without colonization these modern nations would probably be non-existent. Ancient civilizations such as the Mayans could also probably still thrive today.
