- The Portuguese sought to establish direct trade routes to the East, particularly to India and China, to obtain access to valuable spices such as pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, as well as silk, porcelain, and other luxury goods.
- Spices were highly sought after in Europe for culinary and medicinal purposes, as well as for preserving food.
2. Christianization and Religious Missions:
- The Portuguese had a strong Catholic tradition and viewed religious conversion as a religious and moral imperative. They aimed to spread Christianity to the people they encountered during their explorations.
- Early explorations involved the establishment of mission stations and the promotion of Catholicism among indigenous populations.
3. Territorial Expansion and Colonization:
- The Portuguese were motivated by the desire to establish colonies and increase their territorial reach. They sought to secure strategic locations for trade, build forts, and establish settlements along the coastlines of Africa and Asia.
4. Diplomatic and Political Influence:
- The Portuguese aimed to establish diplomatic relations with powerful rulers and kingdoms in Asia and Africa. By securing alliances, they hoped to gain access to trade networks, resources, and political influence in the regions they explored.
5. Exploration and Mapping of the World:
- Portuguese explorations contributed significantly to the expansion of geographical knowledge and the advancement of cartography. Voyagers such as Vasco da Gama, Bartolomeu Dias, and Pedro Álvares Cabral made important discoveries and accurately mapped vast areas of the world.