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The capture of Constantinople by the Ottoman Empire brought all land trade between Europe and Asia to a standstill, forcing the various nations of Europe to seek other sea routes. This led to the overseas exploration of Portugal and Spain.
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Dias's travel suggested that it was possible to sail to Asia by going around Africa and that this possibility would open up important trade routes to Portugal in the Indian Ocean.
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Known as the first long-term trip of Europeans with the Americas, Columbus's journey was entertained by Spain in setting the course for a cascade of explorations and colonization activities in the new world.
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This treaty divided the newly discovered territories between Spain and Portugal, the early colonizers and traders in the Americas and elsewhere.
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The very first successful trip of Vasco da Gama to India paved the way for securing a direct sea route to the Asian subcontinent from Europe which in turn turned the country into a pivotal player in the spice trade.
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Ferdinand Magellan's expedition, which he did not survive, became the first under the name of a captain to convert to a round-the-world journey. This was the first voyage to present a view of how interconnected the world was and how trade would be internationalized.
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By the completion of conquest against the Aztecs, Hernán Cortés opened the gate to the rule of Spain over the Americas that would enrich the empire by fortunes, and destroy many native civilizations.
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he discovery of abundant silver reserves in Potosí, Bolivia, boosts the economy of Spain and connects the Americas to the world economy
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The defeat of the powerful fleet of Spain by England converted the seas to England where more adventurers could thrive in space in later periods of the Age of Exploration.
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The establishment of the VOC was showing how exploration turned into business for the Dutch to control important trade routes and conquer global markets.