Why European Traders Backed Henry Hudson's Search for a Northwest Passage

Why European Traders Backed Henry Hudson's Search for a Northwest Passage

Merchants sought a shorter, cheaper, uncontrolled route to Asia's riches.

The Problem

• Existing routes: long, perilous, monopolized by Ottomans (Mediterranean tolls).
• Spanish/Portuguese dominated southern routes (Cape of Good Hope, Magellan Strait).

The Opportunity

A northern passage above North America would bypass tolls, cut distance, and give Dutch/English direct access to spices, silks, porcelain—transforming trade economics.