Why was the invention of the magnetic compass important?

It made navigation much, MUCH easier.

Explanation:

Normally, people relied on staying  close  to the shore to avoid getting lost. Only the bold would go out farther.  But with the invention of the  magnetic compass- you could go much further as you had a sense  of direction.  You could still get lost,  but you could likely find your way back.

answer; ///i believe that the correct answer is (a) the great depression

b. the passage of the equal rights amendment  

explanation:

this mean that anything that someone else could do they could do