.... avoid expensive middlemen.
Europeans sought new trade routes in the 1400s primarily to Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Explorers like Christopher Columbus, Vasco da Gama, and Ferdinand Magellan were seeking direct routes to these continents in order to access valuable goods like spices, silk, and gold.
During the Age of Exploration, Europeans were most interested in regions like the Americas, Asia, and Africa. They sought resources such as spices, precious metals, and new territories for colonization and trade. The discovery of routes to these regions had significant impacts on global trade and the spread of European influence.
Europeans sought to bypass the trade routes of the Ottoman Empire primarily to reduce their dependence on Ottoman-controlled routes and to avoid high tariffs imposed on goods. The desire for direct access to lucrative markets in Asia, particularly for spices and silk, also motivated exploration. Additionally, the rise of nationalism and competition among European powers spurred the quest for new trade routes and territories. This pursuit ultimately led to the Age of Exploration and the establishment of alternative maritime routes.
to more stuff for the europeans
forts
Faster trade routes and to expand there territories! The explorers did it for favor of the crown among other benefits.
Asia.
Europeans sought new trade routes primarily to access valuable commodities like spices, silk, and precious metals, which were highly sought after in Europe. The desire to bypass intermediaries and reduce costs, especially after the fall of Constantinople in 1453 and the subsequent rise of Ottoman control over land routes, further fueled this quest. Additionally, the spirit of exploration and the pursuit of wealth, coupled with advancements in navigation and shipbuilding, motivated European powers to discover new maritime pathways to Asia and beyond.
Europeans sought all water routes to the Orient primarily for trade, aiming to access valuable goods such as spices, silk, and precious metals. Direct maritime routes would reduce reliance on overland trade and intermediaries, decreasing costs and increasing profits. Additionally, the desire for new trade opportunities and the competition among European powers fueled exploration efforts to establish direct connections with Asia. Overall, these routes were seen as essential for economic expansion and national prestige.
Trading Posts
Europeans began looking for new sea routes to Asia.
Europeans sought alternative routes to the Orient primarily to access valuable goods like spices, silk, and precious metals, which were in high demand. The overland trade routes, such as the Silk Road, were often controlled by middlemen and beset by political instability, making them less reliable. Additionally, the rise of the Ottoman Empire and its control over key trade routes heightened the urgency for Europeans to find sea routes to bypass these intermediaries. This quest for direct access ultimately fueled the Age of Exploration.