Sea Routes to Asia

After Marco Polo returned with golds, silvers, and all sorts of treasures, and spices the need to trade with the East was unbearable. Practiclly every European in Europe was trying to find ways to get to Asia and India to trade for the riches of the East. Marco Polo had traveled to Asia by land, and this took time and money because of its long journey. They needed food for the large caravans and needed …

…Ltd... 1992 5. 'Portugal,' World Book Encyclopedia. 1989, Vol 15 pp 697-698. 6. 'Spain,' World Book Encyclopedia. 1989, Vol 18 pp 747. I. Italy's Role         A. Marco Polo                  1. Gives Italy trading rights to Asia                  2. Italy has monopoly on trade II. Portugal's Role         A. Prince Henry                  1. Starts search for route to Asia         B. Bartholomeu Dias                  1. Gets to Cape of Good Hope         C. Vasco da Gama                  1. Finds water route to India III. Spain's Role         A. Christopher Columbus                  1. Heads west for Asia                  2. Discovers America