Which of the following was an important effect of the outbreak of the plague on the economies of Asia and Europe? The supply of laborers earning low wages in Europe increased as artisans left urban centers to work in healthier environments. The demand for goods in Europe decreased as populations in urban centers declined. Trade heading westward from East Asia declined as sea travel became more risky due to the disease. Ottomans sought new ways of connecting traders from Europe and Asia through their areas of control.