Final answer:
Essential maritime technologies like the lateen sail, sternpost rudder, astrolabe, and magnetic compass enabled Europeans to create their maritime empires.
Step-by-step explanation:
European maritime empires were facilitated by the lateen sail, sternpost rudder, astrolabe, and magnetic compass. In the fifteenth century, Europe witnessed a navigational revolution that enabled them to establish expansive maritime empires. Among the transformative technologies adopted from non-Western cultures were the lateen sail and the sternpost rudder, which vastly improved their sailing capabilities.
The lateen sail, originated from Arab sailors, was adept at sailing against the wind and, when combined with the traditional square sail, made ships more maneuverable. The sternpost rudder from China allowed for better steering against currents.
For navigation, the astrolabe, enhanced in the Middle East from its Greek origins, and the magnetic compass from China enabled sailors to venture into the open ocean with certainty. These technological advancements meant that Europeans no longer had to rely on coastal navigation and could embark on transoceanic voyages, laying the groundwork for colonial empires and the Columbian Exchange.