1. Trade with the Far East
The Crusades opened Europe to many new ideas and wants.
During this time, many goods were brought back to Europe from Asia
Europeans were especially interested in spices from Asia.
However, trade with the East was expensive and difficult. Muslims (Turkish Empire) and Italians controlled the flow of trade.
Other European countries wanted to break the monopoly by finding their own route to Asia

2. Salts and Spices
Preserved food and covered up the taste of spoiled meat
Very expensive and valuable
Mainly found in Asia
Traded along the Silk Road
Originally set up by the Roman Empire
Re-vamped during the 13th and 14th century
Brought wealth to the Asian Nations
Even used as currency

3. Marco Polo Traded between Europe to Asia after the roman Empire.
Brought back many ideas about eastern scientific accomplishments.
The book became popular and inspired many exploders to explore to gain wealth and fame
Even though many of the stories were most likely exaggerations

4. Venice and Genoa
Venice and Genoa had a Monopoly over the trade routes to Asia
Meaning, that all other European nations had to go through these two cities in order to get the supplies they wanted.
This brought a lot of wealth to Italy (and the catholic church)

5. Astrolabe Able to determine the location (latitude)
Able to determine the time of day
Originally created by the Greeks and adopted by the Arabs.
Eventually made it to Europe
One of the advantages is that it could be used in foggy weather.
Not very accurate in the ocean but could be used.

6. Compass First started from using lodestones (magnetized Rocks)
It allowed sailors the ability to determine which direction they were going
This was useful because they had no relative location by which to make this determination.
First found in Venice in the 13th Century

7. Caravel Generally used as cargo ship and fishing.
Created by Prince Henry the Navigator
Had two or three triangular masts
Could sail into the wind as well as against the wind
Rounded Bottom
Could get closer to shore
Good balance between size and speed
Could carry enough supplies for a long journey
Columbus’ Nina and Penta were Caravels as well as Vasco De Gama

8. Traverse Board Ability to keep track and determine direction and speed
Each hole in the compass rose represented 30 min and showed direction
The holes at the bottom represented speed

9. Prince Henry the Navigator
Portuguese
Created a school for navigation (not a school like we are in)
Studied Navigation, Shipbuilding, Astronomy, and Cartography
Contributed to major advancements in Exploration.
Started the Atlantic Slave trade