Before the Europeans discovered the new world the main sea route to the east was

The main sea route to trade was through the Mediterranean Sea, the Indian Ocean and around India and the islands of Malaysia and Singapore on up to Japan. Sometimes countries would also travel south around South Africa and across the Indian ocean.

Explanation:

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The purpose of Reconstruction was to restore the Southern states into the Union and completely disintegrate racism and slavery in the South (which failed). Lincoln wanted to restore the Union gradually (to prevent more disruption with the Union) while Johnson wanted quick restoration and removed the troops from the South thus ending Reconstruction.  The Radical Republicans wanted African Americans to have the same political rights and opportunities as Whites.