The correct answer would be "They created a demand for Eastern goods." Think about it, after the Crusades, goods Eastern powers contained were high in demand. Specifically things like silk. spices, and tea. This also increased exploration because the the Ottoman Turks halted the commerce between Europe and the East. The reason why the voyage of Christopher Columbus was funded in the first place was so that a trade route around the Turks could be found. As we all know, he found something even better.