The Impact of Mehmed II's Conquest on Christopher Columbus' Journey

How did Mehmed II's conquest of Constantinople contribute to Christopher Columbus' expedition to the Americas?

Why did Columbus choose to sail west instead of east like previous explorers? What role did the closure of traditional trade routes play in shaping Columbus' decision?

Final Answer:

Mehmed II's conquest of Constantinople led to the closure of traditional trade routes to Asia, prompting Europeans, including Columbus, to search for new routes. Sponsored by Spanish monarchs, Columbus sailed west hoping to reach Asia, but ended up discovering the Americas instead.

When Mehmed II conquered Constantinople for the Ottoman Empire in 1453, he essentially closed the centuries-old Eastern trade route to Asia, primarily used by Europeans for the transport of goods and spices. The result was a dramatic increase in the cost of goods from the East as they became harder to get. This made merchants and rulers in Europe desperately search for new ways to reach the East.

This is where Christopher Columbus comes into the picture. In 1492, he was sponsored by Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain to find a new route to Asia by sailing west, rather than going through Constantinople. Columbus, believing the world to be smaller than it is, thought he would reach Asia quickly by this route. Instead, he landed on the Americas, creating a new route for trade and exploration for the Europeans.

This chain of events demonstrates how historical conquests and closures of traditional trade routes can have far-reaching consequences, shaping the course of exploration and discovery in significant ways.