<span>In the 15th and 16th centuries, in particular, Europeans were intent on seeking </span><span>out anew and faster route to Asian trade markets than those that already </span>existed. Their searches led to the discovery of the New World of the Americas, which was then explored both for its intrinsic wealth and for the sake of that <span>still undiscovered, and still desired, "Passage to the East."</span>
