Final answer:
The Europeans wanted to find a route to Asia by sailing west from Europe rather than around Africa. They sought to bypass Ottoman-controlled lands and Muslim middlemen, find a quicker and cheaper route to access valuable goods from Asia, and take advantage of new navigational technologies. Africa stood in their way.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Europeans wanted to find a route to Asia by sailing west from Europe rather than around Africa for several reasons.
- The fall of Constantinople to the Ottomans in 1453 led to European countries seeking an all-water route to the eastern lands to bypass Ottoman-controlled lands and Muslim middlemen who controlled the existing trade routes.
- The desire for access to valuable goods from South and East Asia, such as spices and silks, motivated European explorers to find a quicker and cheaper route.
- The development of navigational technologies, such as the lateen sail, cannons, and the magnetic compass, enabled European sailors to navigate and explore the oceans more effectively.
The continent that stood in their way was Africa.