European explorers initially sailed to the Americas primarily in search of new trade routes and resources. Key motivations included:
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Trade: Europeans were eager to find direct routes to Asia for lucrative spices, silk, and other goods. The traditional overland routes were long and perilous, and the Ottoman Empire had control over many of these routes. Sailors sought a westward passage to Asia.
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Wealth: The promise of gold, silver, and other precious resources drove many explorers. This was particularly prominent in the expeditions led by explorers like Christopher Columbus and later conquistadors in the Spanish Empire who sought to extract wealth from the new lands.
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Territorial Expansion: Nations aimed to expand their empires, increase their influence, and claim new territories for their monarchs.
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Religious Motives: There was also a desire to spread Christianity, particularly among the indigenous populations of the Americas, which played a significant role in many expeditions.
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Curiosity and Exploration: The Age of Exploration was driven by a spirit of adventure and curiosity about the world, leading to the exploration of unknown lands.
Together, these factors led to the Age of Exploration, with many European powers, particularly Spain and Portugal, sending expeditions to the newly discovered Americas.
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