Final answer:
The trading power of Venice was impacted by the Ottoman Empire's conquest of Constantinople in 1453, which led to the monopolization of critical trade routes and instigated the Age of Exploration.
Step-by-step explanation:
The trading power of Venice was notably affected when Constantinople was conquered by the Ottoman Empire. This historic event took place in 1453 when the Ottomans, led by Mehmed the Conqueror, seized the city after a prolonged siege. As Constantinople controlled the critical trade routes connecting Europe with Asia, including parts of the Silk Road, its capture had significant implications for Venetian trade. The Ottoman Empire, with Constantinople as its capital — now renamed Istanbul — monopolized these routes, compelling European nations to seek alternative pathways to the East. Ultimately, this disruption in trade led to the Age of Exploration, as Europeans aimed to circumvent Ottomans' trade monopoly to reach the lucrative markets of Asia.
Answer: D) Constantinople