During the period of European exploration in the late 15th and early 16th centuries, several factors motivated explorers to seek new routes and lands. These factors included advancements in technology, the desire for new trade routes, the pursuit of wealth, and the spread of Christianity. Understanding these motivations can provide insight into why European nations were eager to explore and claim territories in the Americas.
Which of the following was the primary motivator for European exploration that eventually led to the discovery of the New World?