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What was the FIRST thing explorers did when they found land previously unknown to Europeans?

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Answer:

They wanted to establish new sea routes.

They had the desire for new trade routes. By accident, European explorers who were searching for new sea routes rather than new continents discovered the New World. The main goals of the Europeans were to improve trade routes to China, India, and Southeast Asia. Cloves, pepper, and other spices that were used to flavor food and prevent it from going bad were among the many Asian things they prized. Luxuries like expensive carpets, brilliant jewelry, and sheer, multicolored silken clothing were also in high demand. Through mostly overland channels, the wealth of the East has been slowly making its way into western Europe. As a result, Asian goods were expensive and hard to find in Europe. Before reaching the consumer, the goods were exchanged numerous times, and each time the price went up. Caravans of camels or horses were used to transport the goods, with each animal only toting a relatively light load. Ships could transport goods in greater quantities and at lower costs. With their monopoly over the historic trade routes, the Italian port cities were content. On the other hand, in order to import goods directly, Portugal, Spain, England, and France sought out new sea routes to Asia.

The value of the traditional commerce routes was also declining. Although the Mongols ruled over a sizable portion of China and Central Asia, traders had always been able to securely travel the overland routes. The empire started to fall apart by the end of the 14th century, and Western traders were no longer guaranteed safe passage on the land routes. In addition, the anti-Christian Ottoman Turks were rising to prominence. They cut off the exits to the Mediterranean Sea, and with it, the old eastern sea routes. Additionally, the Ottomans effectively blocked all land access.

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User MUHINDO
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Answer:

the English queen sent Sir Francis Drake around the tip of South America

User Lionel Henry
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