In the 15th and 16th century the age of exploration had begun. People began to sail, trade, and inquire. They were more introduced into science and they were asking themselves questions. They wanted to know the answers, and they knew that the only way they could find the answers to their inquires was to explore. They started voyaging!
This might have been one motive already. The curiosity of it all. They all wanted to know whether the Earth was flat or not, where there can be conquering lands, if they will fall of the earth’s age in terror, and helplessness etc. They brought their fears to an end, yet some fears came back. This brought them to question. But they could not only question, they had to have proof to know what to believe. Many started sailing, discovering new lands claiming them there own, and understanding things they did not understand from mere predictions and Church “explanations”. Along their way they found different ways to improve ships, and claimed some lands. Christopher Columbus for example, Columbus was sponsored by Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain, he knew that they were wealthy and that if he convinced them well enough that he is going on an important voyage which can lead to the discovery of East Indies, they will provide him with foods, ships, and sailors and they did. They both believed that his voyage will bring wealth and prestige to Spain. Without their help Columbus wouldn’t be able to start his journey to the East Indies. He sailed across the Atlantic hoping to see the land of Indies. With the curiosity of finding the Indies he accidently discovered the Americas. Columbus was smart and an educated European, except he didn’t know how big Earth really is, he estimated it to be much smaller. Today his name is celebrated in America, we owe it to his curiosity.
The second motive could have been financing. People that lived in different regions knew that there were goods and rich luxurious here and there, and we're waiting to be traded. They also wanted to become a richer, and wealthier region, there was no land where wealth wasn’t a need or desire. All they had to do is set to voyage with goods from their own country. They all wanted to go to Spain because they had gold and silver there the most. Some wanted to set out where spices are very current. Some places however were too poor, they couldn’t voyage, and they were unable to provide sailors with safe ships. Many people benefited from voyaging. If a person was set out to sail, and maybe discover a land, the person would come off wealthier and better known. Financial they all got richer, with the trading they brought gold’s and silvers and animals etc.
Another motive was trade. They all wanted goods and they were all aware of what goods and luxurious there are in the world, they wanted to find the trade route to Asia, and because they knew they had spices, tea, and gold. They knew they would become a country with a culture, and they would be wealthier, and provide themselves for more voyages and make new discoveries, and find more trade routes. This lead to exploration they all needed the trade route so they can trade and have goods. They were searching for trading places, and along the way made remarkable discoveries. Spices were very big at the time. But really if they found out direct routes to trading, they would be more aware of the world around them, realize there cultures, and who they are.
The spread of religion played one of the biggest roles of the age of exploration, people like Francis Xavier, managed to explore Asia aiming to spread Christianity. He managed to turn 300.000 Japanese people into Christian faith. He told his missionaries to go around Asia and continue spreading before they were banned. It changed how many people think and their views on life. Prince Henry was also tried to do the same as Xavier, except he was aiming for Africa with an intention to spread Christianity. He thought the Portuguese (including him) could convert the African people into Christian faith, even though he knew that they practiced tribal religions and Islam.
Conquering empires and mapping lands were Again Prince Henry sets us a great example; his navigators claimed Azores and Madeira islands. They built up on each other’s ideas, improved them until they finally got the map right, when it became perfection. The only way they found lands was usually when they’re about to set to a trading route and they find a new land. When Prince Henry decided to move from Africa and go to Asia to trade, his plan was to go circumnavigate around Africa to get to Asia. But unfortunately Prince Henry died in 1460, but the Portuguese continued their journey to Asia. As they got to the tip of Africa, they named the tip Cape of Good Hope because it opened the way for a direct sea route to Asia.
The age of exploration started because people were curious, finance was coming of importants , trade routes were being searched for, spread of religion, mapping and conquering lands. We have more knowledge about the world now. We were able to build up on our ideas, like using there maps as rough drafts, then we man discovered a wonderful thing called a satellites that allow us to see the Earth. Today we are able to access maps and see how the world has changed and developed. Our knowledge about the world improved so much. It is easily said that we are always in the age of exploration, because there is always something new to ask, discover, invent.
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