Question
How did the Ottoman Empire influence Portugal to find a sea route to India By controlling access to direct overlanc I trade routes to Asia By providing Europeans with advanced navigationa I technology By creating accurate maps of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans By forbidding Asian countries from developing merchant fleets
Answer
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Carys
Master · Tutor for 5 years
Answer
Step 1: Understand the historical contextThe Ottoman Empire, after its establishment and expansion, controlled many of the traditional overland trade routes that Europeans had used to trade with Asia, particularly the Silk Road. This control effectively allowed the Ottomans to monopolize trade and charge high tariffs.Step 2: Analyze the influence on PortugalPortugal, like other European nations, was heavily dependent on Asian goods such as spices, silk, and other valuable commodities. The control of the overland routes by the Ottoman Empire made the trade more expensive and difficult for European countries, including Portugal.Step 3: Consider the alternatives for PortugalGiven the Ottoman control over land routes, Portugal had a strong economic incentive to find an alternative route to Asia that would bypass the Ottoman-controlled territory. This led to the motivation to explore a sea route around Africa to reach India and other parts of Asia directly.Step 4: Conclude the influenceThe influence of the Ottoman Empire on Portugal's decision to find a sea route to India was indirect but significant. By controlling access to the direct overland trade routes to Asia, the Ottoman Empire effectively pushed Portugal to seek a new maritime route, which eventually led to the Age of Discovery and the establishment of a sea route to India by Vasco da Gama in 1498.Final Answer:The Ottoman Empire influenced Portugal to find a sea route to India by controlling access to direct overland trade routes to Asia.