Why were the Spanish and Portuguese so interested in finding new ways to get to Asia? ( 5 points) They wanted to use new sailing technologies. They wanted to have more control over trade by avoiding the use of middlemen. They had never traveled to Asia before. Europeans could not trade over land or the Mediterranean Sea.

The primary reason the Spanish and Portuguese were so interested in finding new ways to reach Asia was: **They wanted to have more control over trade by avoiding the use of middlemen.** ### Explanation: During the Age of Exploration in the 15th and 16th centuries, European nations sought direct access to Asia's rich resources, such as spices, silk, and other valuable commodities. Traditionally, trade between Europe and Asia was conducted through intermediaries in the Middle East and along the Silk Road. These middlemen controlled the flow of goods and imposed high prices, limiting profits for European merchants and nations. By finding new sea routes, the Spanish and Portuguese aimed to: - **Reduce Costs:** Bypassing middlemen would decrease the costs associated with transporting goods. - **Increase Profits:** Direct trade would allow for higher profit margins. - **Gain Strategic Advantages:** Controlling trade routes would enhance their geopolitical influence and economic power. While advancements in sailing technologies (Option 1) and the lack of existing direct travel routes to Asia (Option 3) were factors that facilitated their voyages, the main motivation was to establish direct trade connections and eliminate reliance on intermediaries. Option 4 is less accurate, as there were existing overland and Mediterranean trade routes, but they were long, perilous, and dominated by other powers. **Correct Answer:** They wanted to have more control over trade by avoiding the use of middlemen.