The
East had many rich things - spices, silk, and so on. But, to get them
to markets in Europe was very difficult. The "Silk Road" had many
warlords, each demanding taxes (tribute), and there were many bandits.
Sailing all the way round Africa, and to the Orient was exceedingly
difficult in 1500 - still is in fact.
The NorthWest passage offered a short cut. It is the same today - the
trip is considerably shorter, and that mean the companies could become
very rich a lot easier. In theory - they never found a good route, and
even today with Global Warming opening it up, it is still a difficult
route to sail.
