The Expansion of Europe by John D. Hargreaves is a historical study of how European powers extended their influence beyond the continent from the late medieval period through the modern era. It examines the motives behind expansion—such as trade, religion, political rivalry, and technological advantage—and traces the development of exploration, colonisation, and empire-building across Africa, Asia, and the Americas. The book also considers the impact of European expansion on indigenous societies, highlighting both the economic and cultural transformations that resulted from global contact and imperial growth.