The fact that the Ottoman Empire became more prominent from 1450 to 1750 had a great impact on global trade networks and in the way trade was conducted in the area. The Ottoman Turks were able to control the Silk Road, which was a trading route that connected Europe with the markets in Asia and the Middle East. This made the journey more expensive and more dangerous. It also led the European powers to look for a different route to reach Asia, beginning the Age of Exploration.
