Question

Why hadn’t Europeans used maritime routes before the age of exploration?

Answer 1

Well they did not use any maritime routes because they were afraid that the Muslims that were controlling Portugal and Spain might have made these routes unsafe. They didn't have need ships or navigation to travel.

Answer 2

Wrong answer:

They focused on exploring Europe for gold, silver, and other precious metals.

Right: They didn’t have the ships and navigation skills to travel around Africa to Asia.