Maritime revolution 1 Europeans'outward thrust began in the 10th century when Norse adventurers reached North America,but their colonies collapsed eventually.As a series of crusading armies after 1096 tried to wrest Palestine from Muslim control,European attention turned eastward.A brisk trade with the Middle East began and brought silks and spices to Europe.Marco Polo (1254-1324),the most famous Western traveler,and other 13th-century merchants had even traveled overland through the silk Road to East Asia to buy directly from the Chinese.In the 14th century,Italian merchants grew rich from the spices and silk trade and used their fortunes to finance the Renaissance (1300-1650)and overseas expansion.Maritime revolution 1 • Europeans’ outward thrust began in the 10th century when Norse adventurers reached North America, but their colonies collapsed eventually. As a series of crusading armies after 1096 tried to wrest Palestine Palestine from Muslim control, European attention turned eastward. A brisk trade with the Middle East began and brought silks and spices to Europe. Marco Polo (1254–1324), the most famous Western traveler, and other 13th–century merchants had even traveled overland through the Silk Road to East Asia to buy directly from the Chinese. In the 14th century, Italian merchants grew rich from the spices and silk trade and used their fortunes to finance the Renaissance (1300–1650) and overseas expansion