Final answer:
Trade drastically changed European attitudes as it led to economic transformation, political restructuring, and exposure to the vast wealth and cultures of the East, which broadened their worldview and fueled the pursuit of global influence.
Step-by-step explanation:
Trade played a pivotal role in changing the attitudes of Europeans towards the world by facilitating the exchange of goods, cultures, and ideas while contributing to economic transformation and political restructuring. European traders and explorers, such as the Italians and the Vikings, saw the immense wealth and wonders of the East as opportunities for profit and knowledge. Through global trade, often motivated by the pursuit of luxury items like spices and silks, Europe's perception shifted from a more insular viewpoint to a broader, global perspective. The establishment of trading posts and colonies in various parts of the world, as well as interactions with powerful Eastern empires, further influenced European worldviews and aspirations. Additionally, the industrial revolution in the 19th century fueled an expansion in trade volumes and the modernization of European societies, further embedding the continent into a complex world economy and advancing its interests globally.
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