* The Renaissance: The Renaissance was a period of cultural, artistic, and intellectual rebirth in Europe that began in the 14th century. This period saw a renewed interest in classical learning and a spirit of exploration and discovery.
* The fall of Constantinople: The fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Turks in 1453 cut off Europe's overland trade routes to Asia. This forced Europeans to find new ways to reach Asia, which led to the exploration of new sea routes.
* The invention of the compass: The invention of the compass in the 12th century made it possible for sailors to navigate more accurately on the open sea. This made long-distance voyages much less dangerous and allowed Europeans to explore new parts of the world.
* The development of new shipbuilding techniques: The development of new shipbuilding techniques, such as the carrack, made it possible for Europeans to build ships that were stronger and more seaworthy. This allowed them to sail farther and explore more dangerous waters.