Reasons for European interest in the New World
Desire to find a route to India, China and the East Indies
This would reduce the need for middlemen traders and increase profits.
Increasingly difficult land routes
This so-called 'Silk road' to China and India had become difficult and dangerous with the fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Turks.
Desire to spread Christianity
Europeans wanted to establish alliances with other Christians, especially given the threat of the Moors and Muslims movement into parts of Europe.
Development in navigation
An improved compass, the astrolabe and quadrant, and portolani maps had been developed.
