The primary motivations behind early European explorations included the pursuit of trade routes, wealth, and territorial expansion. European nations sought quicker access to spices, gold, and other valuable commodities, which had been traditionally traded through intermediate routes. The desire for new markets and resources fueled competition among empires, driving expeditions across oceans. Additionally, technological advancements in navigation and shipbuilding, alongside the thirst for knowledge and the spread of Christianity, propelled explorers like Columbus and Vasco da Gama to venture into uncharted territories. These explorations significantly reshaped global trade, cultures, and geopolitics.