2.1 | European Motivations for Exploration

By the late 1400s, European nations began exploring the Americas. But why?

1. The "Three G’s"

• Gold: European nations wanted wealth from gold, silver, and new trade routes.

• Glory: Exploration brought fame to countries and explorers.

• God: Many Europeans wanted to spread Christianity (especially Catholics from Spain & Portugal).

2. The Role of the Renaissance

• The Renaissance (1300s–1500s) encouraged curiosity, innovation, and learning.

• Inventions like the printing press (spread new ideas) and the compass & astrolabe (made navigation easier) helped exploration.

3. Economic Changes: Mercantilism & Trade Routes

• Mercantilism: European nations believed wealth = power, so they wanted more colonies to bring in gold & raw materials.

• New Trade Routes: After the Ottoman Empire took over Constantinople (1453), European countries wanted new routes to Asia for spices and luxury goods.

Big Idea:

By the 1400s, European nations wanted wealth, power, and religious expansion, which pushed them to explore new lands.