How were Europeans able to become world leaders in trade and extend their influence across the Atlantic?

Explorations were invariably followed by setting up of colonies. Religious problems of these days in Europe encouraged many to move to these colonies to worship God in their fashion in greater freedom. Colonies soon became potential markets for European goods and collection centres of available raw materials. These ready markets were highly useful to European nations when they moved into the industrial phase of production. Colonies became markets for the surplus, produced in Europe. Colonies provided virtually free land for enterprising European settlers and enhanced agricultural production. Colonies thus became both a source of raw material and good market. Control over the sea helped the Europeans, especially the English, to dominate world trade.

It was a combination of their superior culture and a period of global exploration