x Islam had grown rapidly, and its dominion stretched from the
Balkans deep into Africa and east to northern India. Fueling this
expansion was the Islamic states’ stranglehold on the lucrative
Eastern trade routes.
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in to the south and east by Islamic states. In technological terms,
too, Europe had seemed to be stagnating during the Middle Ages,
while such Muslim cities as Baghdad became centers of innovation
and learning.
x Seafaring in the East at this time was similar to that practiced in
the classical world, with the long, narrow galley propelled by
hundreds of oars. Such vessels had an extremely limited range,
rarely ventured out of sight of land, and could operate only in calm
or enclosed waters.
x But here was one area of technology in which Western Europe
had advanced: seafaring on the open seas. At the close of the 15th
century, Europe had begun to produce deep-bellied, square-rigged
ships capable of braving and even crossing the great oceans. This
type of ship could also be armed by cutting holes along the sides
and adding rows of cannons.
x Although many countries concentrated their efforts on sailing
west, the seafarers of Portugal focused on an eastern route. They
journeyed south around the tip of Africa, then explored the coastline
back north toward the Arabian peninsula.
x By 1500, Portuguese mariners eventually found themselves in
India. The Arabic merchants who controlled the trade were not
pleased to encounter the Portuguese in their territory; seeing
opportunity, however, the Portuguese seized several ports and
raided Arabic shipping.
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command of Dom Francisco de Almeida, with orders that show a