What factors allowed Portugal to take the lead in the new world?

Portugal took the lead in the search to find the first all-water route to Asia. Being able to control trade with the Asia was very important to Portugal. King John was willing to spend as much money as was needed to discover an all-water route to Asia. King John asked Prince Henry to take charge of the search.

Prince Henry set up the first school for training sailors in navigation. Navigation is the study of how to plan and control the course of a ship. Lessons taught in Prince Henry's school were kept secret. If a sailor

spoke about a lesson outside of the school, he was put to death.

Prince Henry became known as Prince Henry the Navigator because his school for navigation was so successful. He thought the most direct route to

Asia would be to sail south around Africa and then sail east to India. Prince Henry organized more than 50 voyages of exploration. But he himself never went on one voyage.

Portuguese sailors used a ship called a caravel.