The fall of Constantinople in 1453 disrupted traditional land trade routes, pushing Europeans to seek alternative sea routes leading to the age of exploration and the discovery of the New World.
The fall of Constantinople in 1453 to the Ottoman Empire had significant impacts on European exploration and the eventual discovery of the New World. When Constantinople, which was a key trade route to Asia, fell into the hands of the Ottomans, it became increasingly difficult for European traders to travel eastwards for silks, spices, and other valuable commodities. This obstruction in the trade route to Asia incentivized Europeans, mainly the Portuguese and the Spanish, to explore alternative sailing routes. This quest for new trade routes led to the voyages of explorers like Christopher Columbus and Vasco da Gama, which eventually resulted in the discovery of the New World (The Americas).
Before the fall of Constantinople, Europeans relied heavily on land based trade routes through the city for their trade with Asia. However, the Ottoman Empire's control over Constantinople disrupted this, making the routes hazardous and costly as the Ottomans levied high taxes on goods passing through their territory. This was a major forcing factor for Europeans to look towards the sea for alternative trade routes.
Thus, the fall of Constantinople can be seen as a significant trigger for the age of exploration and the eventual discovery of the New World as it forced Europeans to seek new trade paths, spurring maritime exploration.
The fall of Constantinople indirectly influenced the discovery of the New World by redirecting European trade interests from land-based to sea-based explorations.
Learn more about fall of Constantinople