Did european contact in the americas spark a positive change in the development of the atlantic world?

Well, not in the development as it would have happened otherwise: the whole American civilization, many people and life style was wiped out., Africa was also suffering from all the slaves taken from it. Only the Europeans profited. 

From the point of view of the natives: not.
From the point of view of the Europeans? yes.
From the point of view of the Africans? not.

Personally? I am a great fun of American languages and, and I wish they were better maintained and I think slavery is a prize to pay for anything. No, I don't think it was a positive change, not with all the deaths and suffering.

She was one of the world's first female heads of state.