European colonizers were explorers and settlers from various European countries, such as Spain, France, England, and Portugal, who established control over territories in the Americas, Africa, and Asia from the 15th to the 20th centuries. Their motivations included the search for new trade routes, the spread of Christianity, and the desire for land and resources. These colonizers often imposed their cultures, languages, and governments on indigenous populations, leading to significant changes in local societies. The impact of colonization included the establishment of colonial empires, the exploitation of natural resources, and, in many cases, the displacement and suffering of native peoples.