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In the 13th Century Marco Polo traveled the Silk Road. He later writes a book called "The Adventures of Marco Polo." Europeans become more interested in Asia and the goods they could purchase such as silk, spices, etc.
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Johannes Guttenberg creates the first printing press. The "Adventures of Marco Polo" is even more widely read and interest in goods from Asia continues to increase.
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In 1450, King Henry of Portugal directs his son Prince Henry to open a school for navigators. The school includes cartography, ship building and
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In 1453, Constantinople is captured by the Turks and the Silk Road is closed for Europeans. Another way to get to Asia must be found.
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Prince Henry's school develops a new type of ship which is capable of long range ocean voyages.
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Europeans begin to travel east around Africa to find a route to Asia. They begin to trade with the Sonhai Empire.
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Sunni Ali rules the Songhai empire in Africa and creates city states and begin trading with Europeans.
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Christopher Columbus convince Ferdinand and Isabel to fund his voyage to find an route to Asia going west. He promises that all lands he finds he will claim for Spain and ensure everyone is Catholic.
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Queen Isabel and King Ferdinand require that all citizens be Catholic.
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Christopher Columbus goes west and lands on San Salvador. He thinks he has found Asia.
