In the 1400s, Europe had increasing demand for Asian trade goods bc the population was increasing. Europeans needed spices to preserve food, add flavor, and make medicine. Arab and Italian merchants controlled most of the trade between Asia and Europe in the 1400s. Muslims brought the goods to the ports and Italians carried them to the markets. This changed bc Europeans outside of Italy wanted part of this buisness. They knew direct trade with Asia, bypassing the Mediterranean, would be more profitable