Which of the following best explains why the price of spices in Europe imported by the Portuguese declined? (1 point)
1. Bartolomeu Dias was able to find vast amounts of spices in south Africa.
2. The Venetians sold the spices for less because they were so powerful they didn't need the money.
3. European desire for spices decreased and people were no longer interested in Asian luxury goods.
4. There was no longer a tax placed on goods from Muslim trader and Venetian intermediaries.
The correct answer is:
1. Bartolomeu Dias was able to find vast amounts of spices in South Africa.
The correct answer is: 1. Bartolomeu Dias was able to find vast amounts of spices in South Africa.
To determine the best explanation for why the price of spices in Europe imported by the Portuguese declined, let's analyze each option:
1. Bartolomeu Dias was able to find vast amounts of spices in South Africa.
This option suggests that the Portuguese were able to find an alternative source of spices, reducing their reliance on expensive Asian imports. To confirm whether this is the correct explanation, you could research the voyages and discoveries made by Bartolomeu Dias and their impact on the spice trade.
2. The Venetians sold the spices for less because they were so powerful they didn't need the money.
This option suggests that the Venetians, who were major players in the spice trade, decreased the price of spices due to their dominance and lack of financial need. To verify this explanation, you could explore the economic and political situation of Venice during that time period.
3. European desire for spices decreased, and people were no longer interested in Asian luxury goods.
This option implies that a decrease in European demand for spices led to a decline in prices. To determine if this is the correct explanation, you could study historical factors that may have influenced European preferences and consumption patterns.
4. There was no longer a tax placed on goods from Muslim traders and Venetian intermediaries.
This option suggests that the removal of taxes on goods from Muslim traders and Venetian intermediaries contributed to a decline in spice prices. To confirm if this explanation is accurate, you could examine historical records regarding taxation policies and their impact on the spice trade.
By conducting further research on these options, considering historical evidence, and assessing the impact of each factor, you will be able to determine which explanation best answers the question.