The Fall Of Constantinople Led To The ‘Discovery’ Of The Americas
A short history of Italian City-States And Privileged Trade Routes
Between Apr. 6, 1453 and May 29, 1453, the capital of the Byzantine Empire — the last remaining connection to the once mighty Roman Empire — fell to an invading Ottoman Army, which was under the command of Mehmed II. The impact was far-reaching, it changed the structure of Christianity in Russia, led to the Islamisation of North Africa and modern day Turkey, and changed the conditions of established trade and political relationships.
Two Italian city-states, Venice and Genoa, had emerged from the long standing deadlock of Italian power balances as strong maritime and economic entities. Their trading network was far reaching and highly profitable. The fall of Constantinople led directly to the fall of Genoa, which in early 16th century voluntarily submitted itself to the Spanish Monarchy in order remain economically stable. The reason this occurred was due to a privileged deal that Genoa had set up with Constantinople when it was under the control of the Byzantine Empire. The deal provided Genoa with privileged access to the city and its land route, which connects modern day Europe to Asia. Hence Traders across Europe would use a combination of land and sea routes to transport their goods to Asia…
