Changes

In Europe, and preceding the Age of Discovery that led to the founding of the New World, explorers such as Marco Polo were now able to more easily go on the Silk Road and travel across Eurasia with minimal hindrance and banditry (Figure 2). Knowledge now also began to more freely move across China and Europe, leading to methods in mathematics, medicine, printing, and astronomy to be brought to Europe. New forms of banking and insurance practices, first done in Eurasia, now also spread to Europe and help lead to the founding of important banking and insurance families in Italy and beyond. In effect, the knowledge and information transfer that became easier did help lead to what would become the Renaissance in Europe, where it was first started by Italians who were the mostly closely associated with trade activities in the Silk Road and contacts with Eurasia.<ref>For more on the role of trade and contacts between Europe, the Middle East, China, and India during the late Medieval period, see: Hebron, L., & Stack, J. F. (2008). <i>Globalization: debunking the myths.</i> Upper Saddle River, N.J: Pearson Prentice Hall, pg. 2.</ref>

Products such as pepper, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and other spices now were introduced to Europe at much greater rates. Prices for products dropped as fewer authorities competed for taxes collected along the Silk Road. Additionally, with increased trade activity once again becoming common, and new knowledge spread to Europe, as well as developed within, there was a greater impetus to now circumvent the revitalized Silk Road in the 15th century. Traders saw the potential to benefit more if parts of the trade network were avoided and if distance and travel time could be cut to the major product regions of India and China could be reached. Improved navigation and ship building now meant ships were better able to traverse more distance and along open oceans. In effect, the motive for Christopher Columbus was to reach the riches of the east, including India, as he set sail from Spain in 1492. The discovery of the New World was, in some ways, then influenced by the Mongol conquests since it reengaged Europe in trade with the East and led to explorers wanting to find new routes to circumvent middlemen along the way to the major markets.<ref>For more on the products and long-term impact on Europe based on increased interactions with the Silk Road, see: Arnold, D. (2002). <i>The Age of Discovery, 1400-1600 </i> (2nd ed). London ; New York: Routledge, pg. 6.</ref>