The primary reasons for European exploration during the Age of Exploration, particularly from the 15th to the 17th centuries, can be broadly categorized into several key motivations. Beyond "spread Christianity" and "economic development," additional reasons include:
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Expand Empires: European nations sought to acquire new territories and expand their empires through exploration and colonization.
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Create Political Allies: Establishing alliances with local rulers and peoples could help strengthen European nations’ political influence and stability in newly explored regions.
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Locate New Labor Sources: As colonies were established, there was a growing demand for labor, particularly in agriculture and resource extraction. This led to the exploration of new lands for potential labor sources, including the transatlantic slave trade.
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Search for New Trade Routes: While not explicitly mentioned in your list, finding alternative trade routes to Asia for spices, silk, and other goods was a crucial motivation behind many exploration efforts, particularly during the age of maritime exploration.
Overall, these motivations were often interlinked, with economic interests frequently driving political and religious ambitions.