How did the need for new trade routes lead to the discovery of the Americas?

Answer 1

Well as you know, some European countries already have known a route to Asia, but they just weren't satisfied. You can probably relate to this, or at least some other person you know. Let's say you're driving to a heavily populated location, but you don't feel like waiting in the traffic to arrive at your destination. I'm pretty sure any average person would try to find a shortcut of some sort, wouldn't you? And as you were taking the shortcut, you came across a pretty decent diner, and you decided to go eat there. It sounds pretty logical to find a shortcut to some place, and now you must understand why some European countries wanted to find a quicker route to Asia. So while they were searching for a quicker route to Asia, they discovered the Americas in the process!

And since I've explained that to you, now you're ready for the real answer. Oh dear, It seems if though I've already answered it. Heh. That's how the need for new trade routes lead to the discovery of the Americas.


And if you're reading this, Mr. Rosado, yes, this was made by Raul Rosado, who is in your 8th period class. (Deck cannon goes BOOM! Lots of lubrication is required.)
After Marco Polo's return from Asia, a whole new world opened up. He brought back spices, a rare and sought after good. (Remember that before this, foods were eaten plainly.) There were two known routes to India- sea and land. To travel by sea, sailors had to go around Africa and the cape of good hope, named so as a warning to sailors because of it's frequent storms and rough waters. The land route covered a shorter distance, but the territory was constantly being switched hands. Many sailors and explorers had the idea to go to the west to reach India, but it was Columbus who got funding first. In 1492, Columbus set sail on his first voyage. On October 12 at 2AM one of his crew spotted land, later named the West Indies. Amerigo Vespucci, accompanying Columbus on a later voyage, was the first to coin the term 'the new world.' In a cruel trick of history, Vespucci 'edited' the crew lists, naming himself as captain, thus leading to the name America.