Which of the following is a reason the Europeans wanted to find a maritime route to the East?
They were hoping to establish their own home base on foreign soil to control the prices of goods.
They wanted to establish diplomatic relations with China quickly, and a maritime route would be a faster way to get there.
They were hoping to beat the Ottomans in establishing trading posts in the Indian Ocean.
They feared for their safety on the Silk Road with the Mongol Empire collapsing.