Marco Polo's family traveled to the Far East with the hope of establishing trade with what today is known as China and India. But It was Henry of Portugal who argued for a safer route. Fifty years later, Bartholomew Dias, an agent of Portugal, followed the western coast of Africa, to the southern shores, and the riches of India, China, and Japan. Christopher Columbus of Spain and Magellan of Portugal proved that it was possible to travel...