Answer:
Several factors contributed to Portugal's age of exploration in the 1400s, including:
- Competition with other European powers: Portugal was eager to find new trade routes and compete with neighboring European powers, such as Spain and Italy.
- Technological advancements: The development of the astrolabe, caravel ship, and other navigational tools made it possible for Portugal to undertake long-distance sea voyages.
- Desire for wealth: Portugal was in search of new resources and wealth, which drove its expansionist policies.
- Religious motives: Portugal was motivated by a desire to spread Catholicism and find new converts, particularly in the wake of the Crusades.
- Access to Africa: Portugal's close proximity to Africa allowed it to establish trading posts and embark on expeditions to the continent.
These factors, along with the leadership of Prince Henry the Navigator, set the stage for Portugal's age of exploration and helped to establish the country as a major colonial power in the 15th and 16th centuries.