European Advantages

European empires was lucky enough to have many advantages over other empires. Some of these advantages were mapmaking, navigation, sailing techniques and advanced ship designs. Their mapmaking made trade easier going throughout the region, so they did not get lost en route. Contributing to that, navigational skills also improved travel, including nautical voyages, like Christopher Columbus to North America in 1492. Sailing was a hugely beneficial to European trade, so without advanced ship designs, boats like Columbus' would have not been sea worthy enough to make it across oceans and other bodies of water, allowing transportation of goods and other trades possible. Europe also had some advanced weaponry, including gun powder weaponry that was better than others had. With all of these various advantages, Europe was dominant over other empires during its peak.