Final answer:
Europe's population growth and interest in trade, along with the acquisition of gold and silver, were driven by events and economic developments like the Commercial Revolution and the Columbian Exchange, underpinned by mercantilist economic principles.
Step-by-step explanation:
The rise in Europe's population, its increased interest in trade, and the influx of large amounts of gold and silver can be attributed to multiple factors, including the Commercial Revolution, the Columbian Exchange, the triangular trade, and the principles of a mercantilism economy. These phenomena helped usher in an era of capitalism as merchants sought to capitalize on newfound wealth and resources. The Columbian Exchange, in particular, played a significant role by introducing new crops and goods to Europe, which led to economic growth and increased demand for precious metals from the Americas.
The Spanish, under leaders such as Francisco Pizarro, accumulated vast wealth by exploiting the resources of the Americas, particularly gold and silver, which ultimately stoked the ambitions of other European nations. This wealth and economic activity drove European nations to seek new trade routes and establish settlements in the Americas, Africa, and Asia, spurred on by the mercantilist ideology that colonies could provide precious metals and other resources to enhance national wealth.