Final answer:
Europeans were interested in discovering new lands and markets in the 1400s for reasons such as finding new trade routes, spreading Christianity, seeking wealth, expanding territories, and gaining knowledge.
Step-by-step explanation:
There were five main reasons why Europeans were interested in discovering new lands and markets in the 1400s:
- Trade Routes: Europeans wanted to find new trade routes to the East to bypass the Muslim middlemen who controlled the existing routes and charged high fees.
- Religious Zeal: The Catholic nations of Spain and Portugal were motivated by the desire to spread Christianity and convert the non-Christian populations they encountered.
- Desire for Wealth: Europeans were attracted to the potential for acquiring riches, such as gold and silver, as well as other valuable goods from new lands.
- Expansion and Colonization: European nations sought to expand their territories and establish colonies in order to increase their power and influence.
- Curiosity and Knowledge: Explorers and merchants were driven by a desire to gain new knowledge, discover new peoples and cultures, and expand the European understanding of the world.