- Competition for resources: The discovery of vast amounts of gold, silver, and other resources in the Americas sparked intense rivalry among European powers. Each country wanted to secure control over as many of these resources as possible, leading to conflicts and wars.
- Religious differences: The European powers were divided along religious lines, with some countries being Catholic and others Protestant. This religious divide added another layer of tension to the rivalries between European countries, as each side sought to spread their own religion and gain control over religious territories.