Final answer:
One major motivation for European expeditions was the search for new trade routes to access valuable goods and resources from Asia. Another major motivation was the spread of Christianity. Lastly, curiosity and the thirst for knowledge were important motivations.
Step-by-step explanation:
One major motivation for European expeditions was the search for new trade routes to access valuable goods and resources from Asia. This was particularly significant during the Age of Exploration in the 15th and 16th centuries, when European countries, such as Portugal and Spain, sought to bypass the Ottoman Empire and establish direct trade routes with Asia. The desire for economic gain and access to spices, silks, and precious metals like gold and silver played a crucial role in motivating these expeditions.
Another major motivation for European expeditions was the spread of Christianity. European powers saw exploration as an opportunity to convert indigenous peoples to Christianity and extend the influence of the Catholic Church. For example, Spanish expeditions to the Americas were often led by missionaries who aimed to Christianize the native populations.
Lastly, curiosity and the thirst for knowledge were important motivations for European expeditions. The Renaissance and the Scientific Revolution sparked a spirit of intellectual curiosity, and explorers sought to expand geographical knowledge, study new cultures and peoples, and discover scientific information about the world.
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