Europeans and Americans both wanted Chinese silk. They also craved their expensive tea.
gold
Asia had a lot goods that were wanted by Europeans. Silks, perfumes, spices, gunpowder, and other things goods were in demand.The new technology in sailing and navigation added to the ability to seek new ways to Asia.
Porcelain, fine pottery, hand-painted wallpaper, lacquer boxes and cabinets, vases plus silk, gunpowder, fine paper etc.
slaves
Asia.
I'll tell you what it is.......
to travel from the a ocean to the p ocean
not answered yet
Italian murchants made huge profits by trading Asian goods. Italians used military strength to control the trade on the mediterranean and didn't allow other Europeans to take part in it. Merchants and other Europeans envied the profits made by Italian merchants, and found new routs to Asia. Sources: Creating America book and My Great Brain ;)
The Chinese. The Chinese Exclusion Act was initiated.
Two reasons off the top of my head would be the fact that the Muslims or the Ottoman Empire not to mention the Mongolian raiders made travel hard for caravans of European traders...often attacking them and stealing their goods or leveling high taxes on goods going through their territories. OR BOTH...
To trade and/or seek a better/new life.
The desire for increased profit led Europeans to seek a direct trade route to Asia. If they could dispense with the middleman, they could keep the extra for themselves.