Economic Motives for European Exploration

By the end of the 15th century, European nations were driven to explore and expand their territories for several reasons. One key motivation was the advancement in navigational technology that made long sea voyages feasible. Additionally, the search for new trade routes and the desire to obtain valuable resources played significant roles. Given the social upheaval and competition among emerging European powers, a combination of these factors propelled explorers into unknown territories. Which of the following most specifically identified the chief economic motive for European exploration during this period?