Europe's Quest for Wealth and Power

Europe was literally running out of gold and it changed world history forever. By 1400,

Europeans were obsessed with Asian luxury goods like silk, spices, and jewels,

but they only had basic stuff like wool and honey to trade. They had to pay

the difference in gold, and they were going broke. Then everything

aligned perfectly. The Renaissance made Europeans confident and innovative. They stole Chinese

and Arab navigation technology. Spain unified under Ferdinand and Isabella, kicked out Muslims

and Jews in 1492, and suddenly had nothing left to conquer at home. Portugal was already

exploring Africa's coast. So both nations looked outward, desperate for wealth