Difficulty: Easy

Average Score: 89%

Which of the following best accounts for why Europeans in the late 1400s were motivated to discover a western trade route across the Atlantic Ocean?

Rationale

European trade routes to Asia were long, dangerous, and expensive.

During the late 1400s, European nations were motivated to discover a western trade route across the Atlantic Ocean primarily due to the challenges and costs associated with existing trade routes to Asia. The desire for more efficient access to Asian goods such as spices and silks drove exploration efforts, as a new route could potentially enhance trade profitability.

A (European trade routes to Asia were long, dangerous, and expensive.) CORRECT

This choice accurately reflects the historical context of the time. The traditional overland routes to Asia, such as the Silk Road, were fraught with peril from banditry and geopolitical conflicts, making them lengthy and costly. The quest for a faster, safer maritime route to Asia was a primary motivation for exploration, as it promised to reduce costs and increase access to valuable commodities.

B (Europeans had been previously unable to access Asian goods.) YOUR ANSWER

This statement is misleading; Europeans had access to Asian goods through intermediaries like Muslim traders. However, this access was limited and expensive due to the lengthy trade networks involved. The desire for direct access rather than a complete lack of access drives the motivation for exploration.

C (European rulers sought access to mineral resources on the North American continent.) YOUR ANSWER

While the discovery of the Americas did later reveal mineral resources, this was not a primary motivation in the late 1400s. European exploration efforts were initially focused on finding a direct route to Asia for trade, rather than exploiting North American resources, which were not well-known at the time.

D (European states sought better trade relations with the states of the Middle East.) YOUR ANSWER

While trade relations with the Middle East were important, the focus of exploration in the late 1400s was more about finding new routes to Asia rather than improving relations with Middle Eastern states. The existing trade routes through the Middle East were recognized as expensive and cumbersome, prompting the search for alternatives.

Conclusion

The primary motivation for Europeans in the late 1400s to seek a western trade route across the Atlantic Ocean was the long, dangerous, and expensive nature of existing trade routes to Asia. The desire for a more efficient and safer passage to access valuable Asian goods ultimately drove exploration efforts, overshadowing other motivations related to the Americas or Middle Eastern trade relations.

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