Final answer:
The Age of Exploration originated in the late 1400s with European nations, especially Portugal and Spain, seeking new trade routes and territories to expand their influence.
It was propelled by advancements in navigation technology and ambitions for trade, leading to the colonization of the Americas and significant global interconnectivity.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Age of Exploration began in the late 15th century and was driven by various European nations seeking new trade routes and territories. Portugal and Spain led the way, fueled by competition over control of the Atlantic and the desire to establish alternate trade routes to the 'Indies' that bypassed overland paths through the Islamic world.
This period, known as the Early Modern Era, was marked by significant breakthroughs in navigation and maritime technology, which enabled extensive overseas exploration. The exploration efforts of European nations like Portugal, Spain, and later England and France, led to the colonization of the Americas, the Columbian Exchange, and the development of the Atlantic slave trade, ushering in what we refer to as globalization.
European nations' ambitions for expansion and the establishment of new markets encouraged the improvement of navigational technologies. The motives for European exploration included the spread of Christianity, the establishment of new trade routes, the search for new markets, and the desire for cherished goods. The interconnectedness that arose from these voyages created a world more like the one we know in the 21st century.