USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -Answer and Explanation: Europeans desired a direct sea route to Asia, because the land trade routes were expensive and dangerous; they wanted to cut out the middle man, in order to save money and receive more product; and the European countries wanted to exert their own influence.

Detailed explanation-2: -Europeans wanted the power and resulting wealth that would come from controlling trade. Finding all-water routes to Asia and its riches would allow European merchants to cut out Middle Eastern middlemen and reap all the profits of eastern trade.

Detailed explanation-3: -One of the major motivating factors in the European Age of Exploration was the search for direct access to the highly lucrative Eastern spice trade. In the 15th century, spices came to Europe via the Middle East land and sea routes, and spices were in huge demand both for food dishes and for use in medicines.

Detailed explanation-4: -Portugal, the western-most European country, was one of the primary players in the European Age of Discovery and Exploration. Under the leadership of Prince Henry the Navigator, Portugal took the principal role during most of the fifteenth century in searching for a route to Asia by sailing south around Africa.

Detailed explanation-5: -On August 3, 1492, Christopher Columbus set sail from Palos, Spain, with three ships: the Niña, Pinta, and Santa Maria. Columbus intended to cross the Atlantic Ocean to find a quicker sea route to Asia.