European Traders: Breaking Monopolies and Finding Faster Ways

What were the main goals of European traders?

Select all that apply:
O break up the Italian trade monopoly
O find a faster cheaper way to transport goods
O bring more jobs to Europe
O increase the cost of Asian and Middle Eastern goods

Answer:

The main goals of European traders were to break up the Italian trade monopoly and find a faster cheaper way to transport goods. Option (a) and (b) are correct.

During the age of exploration and trade, European traders were driven by the desire to expand their reach and increase profits. One of the key objectives they had was to break up the Italian trade monopoly. This monopoly had long controlled the flow of goods from the East to Europe, leading to high prices and limited access for other European merchants.

By breaking up the Italian trade monopoly, European traders aimed to open up new trade routes and markets. This would not only benefit their own economies but also promote competition and lower prices for consumers.

Another important goal for European traders was to find a faster and cheaper way to transport goods. The existing overland and sea routes were slow, expensive, and often dangerous. European traders sought new routes, such as the famed sea route around Africa discovered by Vasco da Gama, to streamline the transportation of goods and increase their profitability.

In pursuit of these goals, European traders played a critical role in reshaping the global trade landscape and setting the stage for the modern interconnected world we live in today.