The image by João de Castro (1540) depicts a variety of ships developed by Spain. Advancements in technology, including the design of vessels for transoceanic travel resulted in greatly expanded trade efforts in the Americas Africa, and Asia due to greater shipping capacities and defensive capabilities, decreased military tension between European empires due to the mutual benefit of increased trade the development of missionary fleets by the Vatican to convert indigenous peoples of the Americas, Africa, and Asia to Christianity the adoption of new shipping technologies by the Incan and Aztec empires as they sought to compete economically with Europe