Final answer:
The terms 'Glory, God, and Gold' refer to motives for European exploration, Vasco da Gama was a pioneer in reaching India by sea, Christopher Columbus discovered the Americas, Ferdinand Magellan's expedition was the first to circumnavigate the Earth, and Conquistadors were Spanish conquerors of the Americas.
Step-by-step explanation:
Defining Historical Terms and Figures
Glory, God, and Gold were the primary motives for European exploration during the Age of Discovery. Seeking glory for their nations and themselves, European explorers sailed vast oceans. Simultaneously, the spread of Christianity (God) and the pursuit of wealth (gold) spurred these journeys.
Vasco da Gama was a Portuguese explorer who, in 1498, became the first European to reach India by sea, thus linking Europe with Asia by an ocean route. This established a new trade route for the lucrative spice trade and marked a significant milestone in global exploration.
Christopher Columbus was an Italian explorer sponsored by the Spanish monarchs. In 1492, he set out to find a western sea route to the Indies but instead stumbled upon the Americas, inadvertently discovering what was then referred to as the New World.
Ferdinand Magellan led the first expedition to circumnavigate the globe. Although he did not complete the journey himself, as he was killed in the Philippines, his fleet, under the command of Juan Sebastián Elcano, completed the voyage in 1522, proving that the Earth is round and confirming the full extent of the Earth's oceans.
Conquistadors were Spanish explorers and warriors who conquered much of the Americas in the 16th century. Led by individuals like Hernán Cortés and Francisco Pizarro, they overthrew empires such as the Aztec and Inca, claiming broad territories for Spain and initiating significant cultural and demographic shifts.