Question

What was the main motivating factor of Christopher Columbus’s and Vasco da Gama’s maritime voyages?(1 point)
Responses

Columbus wanted to be the first explorer to sail around Africa and da Gama wanted to claim glory.
Columbus wanted to be the first explorer to sail around Africa and da Gama wanted to claim glory.

Columbus wanted to gain access to the Indian Ocean and da Gama wanted to gain access to the New World.
Columbus wanted to gain access to the Indian Ocean and da Gama wanted to gain access to the New World.

Columbus wanted to gain access to the spice trade and da Gama wanted to gain access to the silk trade.
Columbus wanted to gain access to the spice trade and da Gama wanted to gain access to the silk trade.

Columbus wanted to acquire Portuguese territories and da Gama wanted to gain Spanish territories.

Answer 1

Answer: Columbus wanted to gain access to the spice trade and da Gama wanted to gain access to the silk trade.

Correction/clarification: More accurately, both were motivated to find sea routes to Asia to tap into Asian trade (spices and other luxury goods such as silk). Columbus sought a westward route; da Gama sailed around Africa to reach India.