What were the Europeans trying to find?

What were the Europeans trying to find?

Along with the idea of looking for new trade routes, they also hoped to find new sources of gold, silver, and other valuables. Additionally, Europeans saw exploration as a way to bring Christianity to other cultures that lived in other lands.

What did Europeans want to find in the East?

In the 15th and 16th centuries, Europeans wanted to find sea routes to the Far East. Columbus wanted to find a new route to India, China, Japan and the Spice Islands. If he could reach these lands, he would be able to bring back rich cargoes of silks and spices.

What was the main focus during the age of exploration?

The so-called Age of Exploration was a period from the early 15th century and continuing into the early 17th century, during which European ships were traveled around the world to search for new trading routes and partners to feed burgeoning capitalism in Europe.

What were all European nations looking for in the new world?

Initially, European nations were searching for a water route to the Far East. Many factors encouraged European exploration. Portugal, Spain, France, and England were newly emerged as nation-states with the means to finance long overseas voyages now possible by innovations in navigation.

What kinds of goods did Europeans want to get from Asia?

Spices from Asia, such as pepper and cinnamon, were very important to the Europeans, but other items Europeans coveted included silk and tea from China, as well as Chinese porcelains.

Why were Europeans interested in finding new routes to Asia?

For centuries, Arab traders had controlled existing trade routes to Africa and Asia, which meant European merchants were forced to buy from Italian traders at high prices. They wanted to trade directly with Africa and Asia, but this meant that they had to find a new sea route. The stakes were high.

What was discovered during the Age of Exploration?

It was a period of time when the European nations began exploring the world. They discovered new routes to India, much of the Far East, and the Americas. The Age of Exploration took place at the same time as the Renaissance.

How did the exploration of Europe change the world?

European explorers changed the world in many dramatic ways. Because of them, cultures divided by 3,000 miles or more of water began interacting. European countries claimed large parts of the world. As nations competed for territory, Europe had an enormous impact on people living in distant lands.

Why did Europeans explore Asia in the 1400s?

wealth. However, many of the land routes that were used for Asia in the 1400s. trade with Asia were controlled by other countries that blocked direct trade between European and Asian nations. As a result, European leaders began to seek new sea routes to Asia.

Who was the leader of the European exploration?

European leaders like Spain’s King Ferdinand and the Portuguese prince known as Henry the Navigator financed explorers who wanted to travel across the seas. Along with the idea of looking for new trade routes, they also hoped to find new sources of gold, silver, and other valuables.

Why was exploration important in the 15th century?

The factors that led to European exploration in the 15th century were multi-faceted. Initially, they were motivated by a desire to find faster and cheaper trade routes to Asia, where they could trade for spices. Spices were a lucrative commodity in Europe.