There Were Many Motives That Impelled European Nations To Embark On Overseas Exp

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Term Paper Title	There Were Many Motives That Impelled European Nations To Embark On Overseas Exp
# of Words	688
# of Pages (250 words per page double spaced)	2.75

There were many motives that impelled European nations to embark on overseas exploration from the fifteenth century onward. Each of these reasons was slightly different depending on the nation but one thing is for certain; overseas exploration provided vast opportunities and riches for those who dared to voyage into the unknown. The Portuguese had a need for better land. The agriculture opportunities in Portugal were poor and better land was available overseas in the Atlantic islands and Muslim territories. Prince Henry the Navigator took up the task of overtaking these lands. During this time Henry became interested in the profit that could be earned through trade. Eventually, the Portuguese opened a new trade in such things as slaves and gold. After signing the Treaty of Tordesillas Portugal gained control of all lands to the east of a boundary that lied about 300 miles west of the Azores. This allowed Portugal to retain the only practical route to India. By 1513 Portugal had trading posts beyond India into the Spice Islands.
Spain had many of the same ambitions that Portugal did. However, after many voyages including those of Columbus and Magellan, Spain realized that Portugal had the fastest way to the East and the goods that were located there. Therefore, Spain devoted its attention toward the Americas. It turned out that this move revealed the great riches that the Americas had to offer. The birth of the conquistadors brought about a period of overtaking America in order to gain wealth, land, and glory. Hernando Cortes overtook the Aztecs of Mexico in nearly two years thanks to the superstitions of the Aztecs that he exploited. He only had an army of 600 troops and a few weapons but it was intelligence that won this victory. It didn’t take long for Spain to establish themselves in the Americas and too take advantage of the riches they had to offer. For example, in 1545 a lode of silver was discovered in Bolivia, which brought great wealth to Spain.
Although Spain and Portugal led the age of exploration, England, France, a...

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