Explain How The Renaissance Led To The Age Of Exploration

168 Words1 Pages
The Renaissance led to the Age of Exploration. Italy dominated the Mediterranean, with the travels of Marco Polo. Other European powers envied the Venetians and Genoese their leadership position in trade with the East and wished to be like them. The Portuguese were the first to determine that there might be a better way to these Asia than over land, and that it was cheaper to transport goods by sea. The Portuguese began to work their way down the coast of Africa and in the process found that by establishing "factories" (trading stations) along the coast they could turn a profit that would finance further exploration. The Portuguese were after spices like cloves, vanilla, cinnamon, pepper and tea. After the Reconquista, Spain took a chance on