USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -European explorers first began to search for the Northwest Passage in the fifteenth century, but treacherous conditions and sea ice cover made the route impassible, foiling many expeditions. Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen became the first to successfully navigate the Northwest Passage in 1906.

Detailed explanation-2: -Explorers searching for the Passage were hoping to establish a lucrative trading route between Europe and Asia. The aim was to shorten the time and cost of sailing to and from markets such as India and China.

Detailed explanation-3: -The Northwest Passage represented a new route to the established trading nations of Asia. England called the hypothetical northern route the “Northwest Passage". The desire to establish such a route motivated much of the European exploration of both coasts of North America, also known as the New World.

Detailed explanation-4: -John Cabot, 1497 The first recorded European to attempt to find the Northwest Passage was John Cabot’s 1497 expedition. Cabot is believed to be the first European to reach the North American mainland since the Vikings. He landed in what is now Newfoundland with a crew of 18 men.