Italy had the wealthy merchants due to a few things. Marco Polo opened up the Silk Road where merchants could trade for silks and spices with the traders from the East. The Crusades, the wars between the Christians and the Islamic (Muslim)nations also introduced more people to the products from lands that were far from other Western Europe nations.
To get spices and other goods, most of the trade was done with Italy. The prices were very high since there was no competition. Portugal wanted to put the Italian merchants out of business and gain the wealth for their own country.
As you saw earlier Prince Henry, The Navigator, made new advances in explorations by sea possible. Now it was time for the Explorers to find the way to the East.
Bartolomeu was among the first to take the challenge.
Here is the Minute History Video. Please watch and enjoy. Leave a comment, too.
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