Motivations behind Exploration during the Age of Exploration

The motivations behind exploration during the Age of Exploration were varied and complex. Many explorers were driven by a desire for wealth and power. In Europe, the Renaissance had sparked a renewed interest in classical learning and the arts, leading to a greater desire for trade with Asia and the Middle East. The Ottoman Empire controlled many of the major trade routes, making trade difficult for European countries. Explorers hoped to find new trade routes that would bypass the Ottoman Empire and bring wealth to their countries.

Religious motivations also played a role in exploration. The Catholic Church had been weakened by the Protestant Reformation, and the Church hoped that exploration would lead to the conversion of new peoples to Catholicism. Many explorers, including Columbus, believed that they were on a mission from God to spread Christianity to new lands.

Additionally, scientific curiosity played a role in exploration. The invention of new technologies, such as the compass and the astrolabe, allowed explorers to navigate the seas more accurately. Explorers hoped to discover new lands and peoples, and to learn more about the world.

Finally, some explorers were motivated by a sense of adventure and a desire for personal glory. These explorers were willing to risk their lives to explore new lands and claim them for their countries or for themselves. The Age of Exploration was a time of great change and discovery, and the motivations behind exploration were varied and complex.

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