Europeans explored new land for three reasons:
God, Gold, and GLORY.
Gold:
Rumors of gold made explorers believe they could get rich quickly. They believed the pay off would be huge. If an explorer found new land, he was paid in gold and riches by the King and Queen of his country.
Glory:
Glory was to be found in the adventure and in the land they might claim, making them rich lords and not poor sailors. They longed for "celebrity statues" and to have new places named after themselves.
God:
Some went believing that they must bring their Christian beliefs to the people of the New World. They thought God would reward them for spreading their faith.
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