Final answer:
Prior to 1492, global trade centers were primarily located in Asia. Economic motives, such as the desire for wealth and resources, drove European exploration and expansion. The compass and advanced shipbuilding techniques proved helpful during this period. European countries benefited the most from new global interaction, while the indigenous peoples of the Americas often suffered greatly.
Step-by-step explanation:
Prior to 1492, the centers of global trade were primarily located in Asia. The Silk Road, a network of trade routes connecting Europe and Asia, facilitated the exchange of goods and ideas between the two regions. Asian cities like Constantinople (now Istanbul), Alexandria, and Venice emerged as major trading hubs.
The economic motives behind European exploration and expansion were driven by a desire for wealth and resources. European countries sought to establish trade routes, acquire valuable goods, such as spices, silk, and precious metals, and gain access to new markets. In addition to economic motives, other factors such as religious zeal, political competition, and curiosity about unknown lands also played a role in driving European exploration.
One invention that proved helpful during this period was the compass, which allowed sailors to navigate accurately and traverse long distances. The development of more advanced shipbuilding techniques, such as the caravel and carrack, also enabled European explorers to undertake longer voyages and navigate the open seas.
The beneficiaries of the new global interaction varied. European countries like Spain, Portugal, France, and England benefited from the vast wealth acquired through trade and colonization. However, the indigenous peoples of the Americas often suffered greatly from the introduction of European diseases, the exploitation of their resources, and the enslavement of their populations.