Final answer:
Portugal and Spain led early global exploration due to geographical, technological, and motivational factors. In contrast, England faced delays caused by the establishment of strong nation-states and internal religious schisms, which shifted their focus from exploration to domestic affairs until the seventeenth century.
Step-by-step explanation:
European Exploration and the Delay of England's Participation
In the Age of Discovery, both Portugal and Spain were at the forefront of maritime exploration, largely due to geographic advantages, technological advancements such as the compass, astrolabe, and caravel, and the motivation to find new trade routes following the fall of Constantinople. Portugal, under Prince Henry the Navigator, led expeditions along the African coast and across the Atlantic, establishing trading ports that significantly benefited its economy. Spain, motivated by the voyages of Columbus, explored vast new lands, ultimately leading to the Treaty of Tordesillas and the Treaty of Zaragosa, which divided global zones of influence between them. Conversely, England and other European countries were slower to enter the race for global exploration and colonial expansion. Factors such as the development of sovereign nation-states, internal challenges including the Protestant Reformation, and the absence of immediate geographical advantages like those of the Iberian Peninsula, caused delays for these countries. It was not until the seventeenth century that nations like England and France could focus on maritime exploration after overcoming internal conflicts and establishing stronger monarchies.