Why did European merchants search for a sea route to India/ Asia? To obtain slave labor in the Far East

There was an interest in finding ports of protection against Indians.

Overland routes were restricted by the Catholic Church

Overland routes, such as the Silk Road were dangerous, difficult and expensive to travel

The political cartoon below was drawn by thomas nast in 1871: a political cartoon shows a heavy set man with a long nose and a beard in a suit and vest. he is smoking a cigar and has a menacing expression. he leans against a large box that says, in counting there is strength. on top of that box is a smaller container labeled, the ballot. dialogue under the cartoon reads, thats whats the matter. boss tweed, as long as i count the votes, what are you going to do about it? say? public domain what issue does this cartoon address?