How can you explain the success of the Europeans in the conquest of new lands?

In the 16-17-18 centuries, after perfect geographical discoveries, many European states sent military expeditions to open territories in order to seize these lands or acquire wealth. This is how the era of colonial empires began. So European armies invaded the territories of other peoples and most often exterminated them. The main advantage of the Europeans was advanced military technology. The Europeans had gunpowder, guns, armor, etc. The natives, on the other hand, possessed axes and bows.