2. Background E. Med. was controlled by the Italians and Ottomans
N.A. Muslims controlled African overland routes
Portugal began to seek new, more direct routes to gold, spices, and slaves

3. Technology
Improved mapmaking made it easier to navigate in the open ocean
The astrolabe measured the positions of the stars and made it possible to determine latitude

4. The Astrolabe

5. Europeans improved the compass that had first been developed in the Arab world
The Portuguese caravel was faster and more maneuverable than previous ships
The lateen sail and rudder made it possible to sail against the wind

6. Rudder
Lateen Sail

7. Portuguese Caravel

8. West Africa
Portuguese trading stations in West Africa were soon established
African gold and ivory were brought back to Europe from Africa’s Gold and Ivory Coasts
In 1441, Portuguese traders also began buying slaves along the Slave Coast

10. Beyond Africa
King John II wanted to find a route around Africa to reach the spice trade in India and China
In 1488, Bartholomeu Dias rounded Africa’s Cape of Good Hope

11. Cape of Good Hope

13. King John then ordered an expedition to India
Vasco da Gama reached India in 1498
A Portuguese trading empire in Asia now seemed possible

14. Da Gama’s Voyage