All of the Following Were True of the Portuguese Foray

All of the following were true of the Portuguese foray into overseas trade except that they

A) were unable over time to maintain their position in the Spice Islands.
B) employed the standard methods of peaceful competition that existed before they ventured into those new foreign regions.
C) gained complete control of the spice trade between the East and Europe for a brief time.
D) defeated their competition in the spice trade through the use of overwhelming force until they, in turn, were similarly overwhelmed.
E) had an advantage because of Portugal's location on the Atlantic seaboard.