Towards the end of the pre-colonial era in Europe, due to the fall of Constantinople, many European nations felt the need to find an alternative route to the East Indies. Trade in rare goods such as spices, rice, exotic fruits, and silk fabrics was in high demand, but was carried out at extreme prices. At the beginning of the "Age of Exploration", Portugal was at the forefront with early explorers Henry the Navigator, Zarco and Tristao Vaz Teixeira and Diogo Silves who discovered the Madeira Islands, the Azores and the exploration of Africa respectively, but King John II of Portugal was not convinced by Christopher Columbus' pleas to finance his plan to sail from the west to the East Indies. Columbus made many demands for personal profit, including ten percent of the riches he returned with, and even an "Admiralty". Subsequently, Columbus brought his plans to Queen Isabella of Spain. Spain agreed and Columbus set out on his fateful voyage. The Roman Catholic Church was very interested in expanding the Christian faith in this period and exerted its influence on the monarchy. Religion also played a great personal role as Columbus truly believed that God spoke to him and guided his hand. Furthermore, in that period in Europe, land and food were a precious resource. Monarchs of the time were fully aware that acquiring more land, slave labor, and possible natural resources would greatly increase their power, prestige, and subsequent wealth. After learning of Columbus's successful return and the Treaty of Tordesillas (which divided the New World between Spain and Portugal), King Henry VII of England threw his hat into the ring and sent John Cabot to set sail from Bristol in an attempt to find a shortest route. to the "Indies". Not to be left out... middle of paper... prosperity in Europe, but in fact they changed their entire way of life. Along with the exuberance of gold and silver, plants such as corn, tobacco, potatoes, tomatoes, chocolate, sugar, and myriad other fruits and vegetables were introduced into European diets. The humble potato was adopted primarily by the Irish; Tomatoes, the Spanish; and tobacco, the whole world. Due to the increase in food supply, the European population exploded and necessitated the subsequent colonization of the 'New World'. Quote: "These people are very inexperienced in arms... with 50 men they could all be subjugated and forced to do anything anyone wanted. – Christopher ColumbusWorks CitedThe Worlds of Christopher Columbus by William D. Phillips Jr. and Carla Rahn Philips www .noblesandcourtiers.org/portugueseexplorers www.thornr.demon.co.uk/kchrist/phenry.htmlwww.history2u.com/book1_discovert.htm