Topic 11.1

The control of most trade between Asia and Europe in the 1400s by Arab and Italian merchants caused

• disruption in trade of luxury goods brought overland to Europe.
• Europeans outside Italy to search for direct access to Asia.
• Renaissance curiosity to spark a major religious revival in Europe.
• Europeans outside Italy to seek direct access to North Africa.

Why did the Portuguese think that they could find an easier way to reach Asia?

• They had alliances with European nations to send out expeditions.
• They had a large country and a long tradition of Asian exploration.
• They had a large fleet and had defeated Spain in recent sea battles.
• They had expert knowledge and advanced navigational technology.

Why did Columbus reach the Caribbean islands rather than the East Indies?

• He did not know that he had sailed far off course.
• He greatly underestimated the size of Earth.
  
• He was unaware that Earth was a sphere.
• He ran out of food and water and landed too soon.

How did the Portuguese establish footholds and trade on Africa's coasts?

• They explored inland and then established many permanent settlements around the Indian Ocean.
• They fought sea battles with the Spanish to control access to the East African trade routes.
• They established forts and trading posts on the coast and seized key ports around the Indian Ocean.
• They formed commercial alliances with the Arabs who dominated the East African trade network.

How did Balboa's search for a direct route to Asia differ from Magellan's voyage?

• Balboa reached the Caribbean; Magellan first saw the Pacific.
• Balboa found Cuba; Magellan sought a "northwest passage."
• Balboa crossed Panama; Magellan sailed around the world.
• Balboa found the Spice Islands; Magellan was shipwrecked.