- The traditional trade routes between Europe and Asia were controlled by the Ottoman Empire, which made them expensive and unreliable.
- Exploring new routes around Africa or across the Atlantic offered the potential to establish direct trade connections with Asia, cutting out the middlemen and increasing profits.
2. Spices and luxury goods:
- Spices like pepper, nutmeg, and cinnamon were highly valuable in Europe and used to preserve food, add flavor, and even as medicine.
- Explorers sought to find direct sources of these spices in Asia to meet the growing demand and make significant profits.
3. Gold and silver:
- The wealth and power of European nations were closely tied to the accumulation of precious metals.
- Africa, Asia, and the Americas were believed to be rich in gold and silver, and explorers sought to discover new lands where these resources could be obtained.
4. Spread of Christianity:
- Many European explorers were motivated by a desire to spread Christianity and convert non-Christian peoples to Catholicism.
- They saw exploration as an opportunity to establish missions and expand the influence of the Church.
5. Political prestige and glory:
- In this age of powerful monarchies and competing empires, exploration and discovery brought prestige and glory to the sponsoring nations.
- Successful expeditions could enhance the reputation of monarchs and expand their territories.
6. Scientific curiosity and exploration:
- Some explorers were driven by a thirst for knowledge and a desire to explore uncharted territories.
- They were fascinated by the world around them and sought to learn more about its geography, flora, and fauna.