The first European colonization wave took place from the early 15th century (Portuguese conquest of Ceuta in 1415) until the early 19th - century (French invasion of Algeria in 1830), and primarily involved the European colonization of the Americas, though it also included the establishment of European colonies in India and in Maritime Southeast Asia. During this period, European interests in Africa primarily focused on the establishment of trading posts there, particularly for the African slave trade.
when did the first wave of western settlement began
early 15th century