What was a major cause for the shift in European trade from the Mediterranean Sea to the Atlantic Ocean during the late 1400?

A major cause for the shift in European trade from the Mediterranean Sea to the Atlantic Ocean during the late 1400s was the desire for direct trade routes to Asia. The fall of Constantinople in 1453 and the subsequent rise of the Ottoman Empire disrupted traditional trade routes, prompting European nations to seek alternative paths. Advances in navigation technology and the exploration of the Americas, driven by figures like Christopher Columbus, opened up new opportunities for trade and resources in the Atlantic, further encouraging this shift.