Question

Why were the Portuguese motivated to explore the West African coast? Select all that apply.

The gold of West Africa was needed both in Europe and to conduct trade with East Asia.


They were responding to the Black Death, which had made their old trade routes too dangerous to use.


They wanted to establish a closer relationship with the Malians and learn more about their agricultural techniques.


They were responding to the conquest of Constantinople and the rise of Ottoman power in the Mediterranean.


The Portuguese were denied access to the Mediterranean trade by their rivals, the Dutch.

Answer 1

They were responding to the Black Death, which had made their old trade routes too dangerous to use.