Had Portuguese traders never set out for South Asia by ship in the 1400s, it is likely that
A Portugal would not have reached North America first.
B another European country would have been protected from the black plague.
C Portugal would have protected Africans from being enslaved by Europeans.
D another European country might have reached Africa first.
The correct answer is D: another European country might have reached Africa first.
Explanation: If Portuguese traders had not explored South Asia by ship in the 1400s, it created an opportunity for other European nations to explore and potentially establish trade routes and colonies in Africa and beyond. The competition among European powers for exploration and trade meant that if one country did not pursue these efforts, another likely would have stepped in to fill that gap.