Final answer:
The Protestant Reformation introduced religious conflict and a desire for territorial expansion to propagate faiths, while the Renaissance's focus on individualism and invention spurred technological advancements and challenged old ideals. These movements combined to foster European exploration.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Protestant Reformation and the Renaissance significantly contributed to the Age of Exploration. The Protestant Reformation, beginning in 1517, sparked significant religious turmoil in Europe. Dissatisfaction with the Catholic Church's wealth, power, and corruption led numerous individuals to seek reform. The rise of Protestantism, along with the counter-reformation efforts such as the Council of Trent, created conflicts that spilled into the colonization of the Americas. Nations aligned with either Catholicism or Protestantism, thereby extending their rivalry into the New World as they competed for territorial claims and the spread of their respective faiths.
During the Renaissance, a rebirth of learning and knowledge, humanism led to a spirit of inquiry and skepticism towards religious dogma. The period witnessed increased intellectual engagement and advancements in technology, such as Johannes Gutenberg's printing press, which not only facilitated the spread of Renaissance humanism but also Luther's reformation ideas. Combined with the economic and political motivations, these movements encouraged European nations to explore and colonize new lands. Rising nation-states like England, motivated by mercantilism and seeking to challenge Spanish dominance, embarked on their own voyages of exploration.
Overall, the advent of the Protestant Reformation and humanist thinking during the Renaissance helped set the stage for European nations to expand their horizons, leading to the Age of Exploration that shaped the modern world.