Answer: it was the shortest naval route between Europe and Asia.
Explanation:
As the demand for slaves grew, the Portuguese began to enter the interior of Africa to forcibly take captives; as other Europeans became involved in the slave trade, generally they remained on the coast and purchased captives from Africans who had transported them from the interior.
Answer:
The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, Or Gustavus Vassa, The African
I am pretty sure it was the Ming dynasty
