Final answer:
The European discovery of the Americas was driven primarily by advanced maritime technologies and the quest for new trade routes and land, galvanized by competition among European monarchies and facilitated by the Treaty of Tordesillas and Treaty of Zaragosa.
Step-by-step explanation:
The two things that led to the European discovery of the Americas were the technological advances in maritime activities and the intense desire to find new trade routes and territories. Under the leadership of countries such as Portugal and Spain, there was a significant investment in tools like the compass, the astrolabe, and ships like the caravel. This technological edge allowed European mariners to traverse the open ocean successfully. Moreover, geographic positioning played a crucial role, as the Iberian Peninsula's proximity to the Atlantic facilitated these nations' early dominance in exploration. Their emergence as seafaring leaders during the European Age of Discovery was further motivated by the potential of newfound wealth through gold and silver as well as ambitions of extending their imperial influence and finding resource-rich new lands.
Additionally, the competitive spirit amongst European monarchies fueled the exploration efforts, leading to a race to discover and claim new territories. The Treaty of Tordesillas and the Treaty of Zaragosa reduced rivalry between Portugal and Spain by dividing the world into two zones of influence, thus fostering a more organized approach to exploration and colonization of the New World.