Question

To the european explorers finding new trades routes ment

Answer 1

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.

Answer 2

Finding new trade routes meant having the opportunity to discover new land, get gold and silver, but also to bring back home new crops