Why did Spain and Portugal want to go to the Americas?

Their goals were to expand Catholicism and to gain a commercial advantage over Portugal. To those ends, Ferdinand and Isabella sponsored extensive Atlantic exploration. Spain’s most famous explorer, Christopher Columbus, was actually from Genoa, Italy.

Why did Spain and Portugal want to go to Asia?

European rulers from the countries of Portugal, Spain, France, England, and the Netherlands wanted to increase their power by trading silks and spices found in Asia. To achieve their goal, they needed to find a sea route to Asia !! Spanish and Portuguese explorers traveled in two directions.

Why did the Portuguese want to find a sea route around Africa?

European monarchs and merchants wanted to break the hold that Muslims and Italians had on trade. One way to do so was to find a sea route to Asia. Portuguese sailors looked for a route that went around Africa. Christopher Columbus tried to reach Asia by sailing west across the Atlantic.

What advantages did the nations of Portugal and Spain have in exploration over other European countries?

In the times just before overseas exploration, a great deal of trade with the Orient (the Middle East and beyond) came through the Mediterranean. Spain and Portugal could prevent any other nation’s ships from passing through the Mediterranean if they wanted to.

Why did the Portuguese think that they could find an easier way to reach Asia *?

Why did the Portuguese think that they could find an easier way to reach Asia? They had expert knowledge and advanced navigational technology. Why did Columbus reach the Caribbean islands rather than the East Indies? He greatly underestimated the size of Earth.

How did Portugal benefit from finding a sea route around Africa to India?

How did Portugal benefit from finding a sea route around Africa to India? It was the basis for building a large trading empire. How did the Portuguese establish footholds and trade on Africa’s coasts? They established forts and trading posts on the coast and seized key ports around the Indian Ocean.

Why did Spain and Portugal want to explore the Americas?

Now, you will learn that Europeans will begin to take their knowledge and curiosity to explore the Americas. You might wander why did Spain and Portugal want to explore the Americas in the first place. Well, there were several reasons. 1.Spread Christianity to non-Christian lands by using missionaries to convert Native Americans to Christianity.

Why did the Portuguese explore the Silk Road?

Venice and the other Italian cities had dominated the restricted trade over the silk road. Portugal under Henry the Navagator desired to find a route to the riches of India and China that was not dependent on the Ottoman Turks and the Italian City states. Under Vasco Gamma the Portugesse had found a route to India.

Why was the Silk Road closed to Spain in 1492?

Under Vasco Gamma the Portugesse had found a route to India. Spain after the Reconquesta in 1492 wanted to have a share of the profitable trade with China and India. The silk road was closed to Spain because of the Islamic Empires.

How did the Spanish spread Christianity in North America?

1.Spread Christianity to non-Christian lands by using missionaries to convert Native Americans to Christianity. Spain was Catholic, so that is the version of Christianity they wanted to spread. This attitude of ethnocentrism made the Spanish feel like they were doing no wrong by converting Native Americans.