Final answer:
The Age of Exploration, also known as the Age of Discovery, began in the late 1400s and lasted until the mid-1700s. Portugal and Spain, later joined by other European nations, led explorations that expanded global interactions and began the globalization process. The era's driving forces included economic ambitions, religious motivations, and technological advances in navigation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Age of Exploration
The Age of Exploration, also known as the Age of Discovery, was a pivotal period in history that led to a significant expansion of global interactions. It began in the late 1400s and lasted until the mid-1700s. This era is marked by European forays into the Atlantic, with Portugal and Spain at the forefront, followed by other nations such as England, France, and the Netherlands. The Age of Discovery was not just about discovering new lands; it included an expansive web of connections in the Atlantic World, which saw the Columbian Exchange, colonization of the Americas, and the establishment of the transatlantic slave trade. It was a period that saw the beginnings of globalization, transformative technological advancements in navigation, and significant economic and religious impacts that redefined the world's geopolitical landscape.
The period of the Age of Discovery featured countries venturing beyond their traditional boundaries to seek wealth and power through trade networks and colonization. Nations were driven by a combination of factors, including economic ambitions, religious zeal, and a desire for territorial expansion. Trade and the economy greatly influenced nations during this period, as they sought to bypass overland routes and directly access wealth, such as spices and silk, from the Indies. Meanwhile, religion also played a crucial role, as European powers spread Christianity throughout newly acquired territories.