Europeans paid high prices for goods like silks and spices. The only way to get them was from Arabs and Berbers, who controlled Africa. The only other option came from traders who traveled overland to India and China using routes from the Silk Road. Both options cost a very high price and came with danger.

Luckily Europeans were sneaky and gained better maps and newer technology that changed navigation of the seas to their advantage.  This is their story.....