Finally, the political norms of control by the Ottoman Empire and the reputation of the Ming Dynasty as exploring the world can be overcome with this quest and the establishment of new trade routes. Current technological barriers make exploration unattractive. However, important navigational tools including the magnetic compass and the cross-staff can help provide guidance on the seas. The caravel will help bring seamen home safely. This journey will test these technological advances and their utility on a long discovery mission. If they are proven to be useful, people will be more willing to go out to sea and funding for these missions is more likely.

Finally, this mission will provide important economic benefits, primarily through trading. Alternate routes to the Indian Ocean without going through Constantinople and into Africa without crossing the Sahara may be discovered. These, subsequent trading posts, and increases in import and export merchandise will be financially rewarding. Consequently, they are likely to induce further support and funding for missions.

This mission provides numerous...

Most importantly, it will help us discover our world, help improve technology, and develop tools to increase accurate knowledge. I hope that you will support me in this important journey down the coast of Africa.
Respectfully,

Bartolomeu Dias

Works Cited

Boorstin, D. (1983). The Discoverers. New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc. Publishers.

Menzies, G. (2002). 1421: The Year China Discovered America. New York: HarperCollins Publishers.

Russell, P. (2000). Prince Henry "The Navigator." Economist, 356(8181), 83.

Sandrone, S. & Wagner, a. (2009). Henry the Navigator and the Moon. Acta Astronautica, 64(4), 484-493.

Turchin, P., Adams, J., and Hall, T. (2006). East-West Orientation of Historical Empires and Modern States. Journal of World Systems Research, 12(2), 219-229.

University of Minnesota Libraries. (2010). Mappemonde. Retrieved from University of Minnesota Libraries Web site: http://www.lib.umn.edu/bell/histmapimages#

Williams, S. (2005). Our Blue Planet: Ocean Exploration. Technology…