Answer to Question #317138 in History for Dora

Question

Discuss the factors that led to the European exploration, discoveries and colonization of the new world

Answer 1

1.Due to the increased religious intolerance and forceful religious conversion, Europeans started the campaign of spreading Christianity across Europe and other parts of the world as a measure to counter Islamic religion which had become dominant.

2.Europeans wanted to find new trade routes to the Eastern parts of the world like Asia. This was aimed at luring of gold and other precious products. Similarly, they were seeking a water passage to the wealthy cities of the East, sailors wanted to find a route to the exotic and wealthy Spice Islands in modern-day Indonesia, whose location was kept secret by Muslim rulers. The lure of profit pushed explorers to seek new trade routes to the Spice Islands and to eliminate Muslim middlemen.

3.Most Europeans countries had thirst for glory. This motivated them to swiftly move across the world to acquire colonies so that they can control them. For instance, competition between the Portuguese and the Spanish motivated both nations to colonize quickly and aggressively.

4.Many European nations explored the world in order to find their fortunes.