What was the primary motivation behind European exploration during the Age of Discovery?

The primary motivation behind European exploration during the Age of Discovery was the search for new trade routes. During the late 15th and 16th centuries, European powers sought to find alternative pathways to access the lucrative goods of Asia, particularly spices, silk, and other valuable commodities. Traditional routes, such as those overland through the Ottoman Empire, were becoming increasingly difficult and costly due to political instability and competition.

Explorers such as Christopher Columbus, Vasco da Gama, and Ferdinand Magellan undertook their journeys with the aim of discovering new maritime routes that would allow for direct trade with Asia and unlock new wealth for their respective countries. This quest not only involved reaching Asia but also led to the discovery of the Americas, which opened up additional economic opportunities.

While the quest for religious freedom and efforts to establish alliances with Native Americans were elements of later colonial policy, they were not the driving forces behind exploration itself. The spread of democracy was not a motivation for exploration either, as many European nations were focused more on territorial expansion and the establishment of trade empires rather than promoting democratic ideals. Thus, the pursuit of new trade routes is recognized as the central impetus that spurred the Age of Discovery and the significant global interactions that followed.