Why are great geographical discoveries the beginning of a new era?

The great geographical discoveries expanded the horizon of consciousness of the average person of that time. Judging from the perspective of a modern man of the 21st century, medieval man was not much ahead of his primitive ancestor in his intellectual development. So, the inhabitants of one continent had a vague idea of ​​the existence of other lands. Medieval people believed that even if these lands exist, they are inhabited by some kind of mythical creatures. After the discovery of America, Europeans began to look more rationally at the world, knowledge of which has grown dramatically. In addition, the new lands promised good benefits for the Europeans, the gold reserves of states were replenished, money began to be invested in science and culture.