Crosby asserts that in order to ensure successful expansion onto the New World, Europeans had to cross the Atlantic in large numbers. To accomplish this, certain developments had to occur. Most importantly a strong imperialistic desire to undertake a dangerous and expensive journey had to exist. When that occurred it was a matter of technological factors that presented an obstacle to arrival of Europeans in the New World. Europeans had to build bigger and better vessels that would make their journey across the dangerous waters safe enough. Better equipment and improved techniques were needed. Effective weaponry that was light enough thus transportable in large numbers was necessary to establish a significant martial advantage. The last but not least prerequisite was source of energy. Once the mystery of the wind pattern across the Atlantic was realized all conditions were in place to begin the invasion.
Although imperialistic desires might seem of less importance, when considering the accomplishments of Chinese maritime voyages of Cheng Ho, its significance cannot be overlooked. The Chinese met all but one prerequisite for an imperialistic design: their technology was advanced enough, their vessels could transport thousands of people and supplies, their cannons were superior, yet they did not pursuit an imperialistic desires. Crosby points to political conditions and cultural endogeny as obstacles to Chinese imperialism.
