Table of Contents
What role did the desire for wealth play in the voyages of exploration?
Many nations were looking for goods such as silver and gold, but one of the biggest reasons for exploration was the desire to find a new route for the spice and silk trades. In addition, it also blocked access to North Africa and the Red Sea, two very important trade routes to the Far East.
Why did European explorers want wealth?
Explorers came wanting to spread Christianity, to gain wealth from natural resources such as gold, to claim lands, and to find a shorter route to Asia.
How did the desire for trade lead to European exploration?
Motives for Exploration For early explorers, one of the main motives for exploration was the desire to find new trade routes to Asia. By the 1400s, merchants and Crusaders had brought many goods to Europe from Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Demand for these goods increased the desire for trade.
What was the reason for European exploration?
Thus, we say that “God” was one reason for exploration. The desire for gold was also a motivation. The Europeans wanted to become rich. We use the word “gold” as a shorthand for anything valuable.
Why was gold important to the age of exploration?
The Europeans wanted to become rich. We use the word “gold” as a shorthand for anything valuable. It could be silver or it could be other things. The basic idea is simply that Europeans believed that they could make money by going out exploring. This is why we say that “gold” was a cause of exploration.
Why did the Europeans explore the world for spices?
The main reason that they went out to explore was for spices because they were so valuable. Europeans used spices to flavour their food but, unfortunately spices did not grow anywhere near them so they were very valuable and if they could find a way to get them they would be very rich.
What were the motivations behind the spread of Christianity in Europe?
When we say that “God” was one of the motivations, we mean that the Europeans said that they wanted to spread the word of God around the world. People outside of Europe were, of course, mainly non-Christian. Christians felt that it was their duty to go and convert people to the faith so that those people could be saved and could go to heaven.