Identify the religious motivations that led to European exploration. What was the cause/effect each motivation contributed to European exploration?(1 point)

Question

Responses

Violent conversion rooted in the Reconquista and Crusades, coupled with charitable causes from Christian missions, were both important motivators during European exploration.
Violent conversion rooted in the Reconquista and Crusades, coupled with charitable causes from Christian missions, were both important motivators during European exploration.

Muslim conquests into Iberia and hostile Christian missionaries were two of the most important motivators. These hostile missionaries would wage war against Indigenous populations in the New World.
Muslim conquests into Iberia and hostile Christian missionaries were two of the most important motivators. These hostile missionaries would wage war against Indigenous populations in the New World.

Missionaries were sent to convert Muslims through violent means during the

Answer 1

European exploration was significantly influenced by various religious motivations, primarily stemming from the historical contexts of the Reconquista and the Crusades. Here are the main motivations and their corresponding causes and effects:

1. Violent Conversion Rooted in the Reconquista and Crusades:

   • Cause: The Reconquista, which culminated in 1492 with the fall of Granada, was driven by a desire to reclaim territory from Muslim rule in the Iberian Peninsula. The Crusades had earlier fostered a militant attitude toward spreading Christianity and combating non-Christian religions.
   • Effect: This aggressive stance led European powers, particularly Spain and Portugal, to seek out new territories to convert Indigenous populations to Christianity, often using violent means. Missionary efforts were frequently accompanied by military conquest, as seen in the Americas, where conquest was justified by the need to convert "heathens."

2. Charitable Causes from Christian Missions:

   • Cause: Alongside the violent motivations, there existed a sincere desire among certain Christian groups to spread the Gospel and help those in need, driven by the belief in the necessity of converting all humanity to Christianity.
   • Effect: This aspect of missionary work resulted in the establishment of missions that aimed to educate and convert Indigenous peoples. However, these missions frequently ignored and undermined local cultures and religions.

3. Hostile Christian Missionaries and Indigenous Warfare:

   • Cause: Motivated by a belief in their religious superiority and a divinely sanctioned mission, some Christian missionaries adopted hostile stances towards Indigenous populations, often viewing them as obstacles to their evangelistic efforts.
   • Effect: This led to violent conflicts with Indigenous groups in the New World. Rather than peaceful conversion, these confrontations resulted in considerable suffering, displacement, and the decimation of Native populations.

In summary, while the motivations for European exploration included a complex mixture of violent and charitable religious impulse, both led to significant and often devastating impacts on Indigenous societies during the Age of Exploration.