Why Europeans Explored the World

In the 1400s and 1500s, European kingdoms such as Portugal and Spain sent explorers across the oceans. Historians often sum up their reasons as "gold, glory and God": they wanted wealth from trade, especially spices from Asia; fame and power for their nations; and to spread Christianity.

New tools such as the compass and better ships like the caravel made long voyages possible. Portugal searched for a sea route around Africa, and in 1492 Christopher Columbus, sailing for Spain, reached the Caribbean. These voyages connected the world, but for the Indigenous peoples of the Americas they brought conquest, disease and great loss.