Final answer:
The main motives for European oceanic exploration were God, glory, and gold, driven by religious zeal, the search for glory and wealth, and economic reasons like finding new trade routes and expounding mercantilist ideals, sparking an era of navigational advancement and colonial expansion.
Step-by-step explanation:
People have always been intrigued by the unknown, driven by various factors encourage exploration. In the case of Europe, the era of maritime exploration was propelled mainly by the pursuit of God, glory, and gold. Religious zeal played a significant part, particularly in nations like Spain and Portugal, where Christian rulers were driven to spread their faith and reclaim territories. The search for new trade routes, especially after the fall of Constantinople, was a major economic cause. Europeans needed to bypass the Muslim middlemen that controlled the land routes to Asian markets.
The fervor for wealth was another strong motive, as explorers sought precious metals and exotic goods to bring back to Europe. Combined, these motives spurred Europeans to enhance their navigational technologies, establish colonies, and convert native populations in the name of their respective monarchs and nations. The economic causes behind the European explorations include the desire to secure valuable trade routes to the Indies and the quest for precious resources and commodities that were scarce in Europe.