Why did Europeans want to find different routes

Answer

The existing routes were treacherous and dangerous, so traders believed that if they could find a safer route over water, they could import more items from the East. Along the way, they made some discoveries that changed the world as they knew it.

Explanation:

i can't beat you to a pulp if i'm not close enough.

so they can differentiate themselves from others as they saw themselves as the superior race. the star was basically a symbol that meant you are a less of a person than i am because of my race. the star was also degrading for those who had to wear it because they were aware of this and the nazis used the notion to make them feel less like a person.