Final answer:
The Renaissance era spurred European exploration due to a mix of economic desires for new trade routes, religious motivations to spread Christianity and counter Islam, technological advancements in navigation and shipbuilding, and political ambitions to gain territory and prestige.
Step-by-step explanation:
Motives for European Exploration
During the Renaissance, there were multiple factors that contributed to European exploration, each intertwined with the others. The correct answer is A. Economic growth and the desire for new trade routes.
Countries like Portugal and Spain were driven by the desire to find new, more direct trade routes to Asia, which would allow them to bypass the intermediaries in the lucrative spice trade and bring greater wealth to their kingdoms.
Additionally, there was the quest to spread Christianity, which was fueled by religious motives and the competition with Islam. This was not just about evangelism but also about counteracting the influence of Islamic empires, especially after the Reconquista in Spain. The religious zeal was further amplified by the Reformation and the subsequent Catholic-Protestant conflict.
Technological advancements in navigation and shipbuilding played a crucial role in enabling these long voyages. The invention of the caravel and improved navigational instruments, such as the astrolabe and compass, allowed
Europeans to sail farther and with greater safety. The spirit of humanism during the Renaissance led to a curiosity about the world that was fueled by accounts from travelers like Marco Polo.
Political motives cannot be overlooked. The rivalry between emerging nation-states in Europe motivated leaders to find new territories, not only to expand their domains but also to gain prestige and power over their adversaries.
The control of new territories meant new resources to exploit and new peoples to govern, thus enhancing the political status of the rulers.