Factors led to sea expedition and exploration-- Economy

       At the end of the 13th century, Marco Polo and his travels set off a frenzy of longing for the East in Europe. In his works, China, East Asia and even the whole Asia were unprecedented prosperity with gold and spice everywhere, which made Europeans hunger for going to East. During the crusades, European nations were exposed to various types of herbs and spices.

       Before the sea expedition and exploration, there was a trade route called Silk Road connecting East and West. People from China and India trade spice and silk with Europeans through that route. However, in 1453, with Constantinople occupied by Turks, the entire Middle East was under Muslim’s control. Europeans couldn’t go through Persian Gulf and Silk Road to India and China like their predecessors did any longer. Europeans had to find another trade route so that they were able to obtain resources directly from suppliers instead of being restricted by Italian and Arabian. Since Muslim countries controlled the land route, Europeans sought new route via sea routes.

        In the other hand, Chinese and Indians weren’t interested in European at that time. As a result of that, European had to use plenty of gold and silver in order to exchange for goods such as silk and spice. With long term deficits, it led to Europeans desire for gold, silver, and precious stones. Thus, areas where produce these valuable resources became European’s hunting and competing targets.



"大航海时代." _百度百科. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Aug. 2013.

Reasons of ocean expedition and exploration