What were the religious motives behind European explorations?

The religious motives behind European explorations were primarily to spread Christianity and counter Islam.

The period of European exploration from the 15th to the 17th century, often referred to as the Age of Discovery, was driven by a complex mix of motives. Among these, religious motivations played a significant role. The desire to spread Christianity, particularly Catholicism, was a powerful driving force behind many expeditions. This was closely tied to the concept of a 'just war', which justified the conquest and conversion of non-Christian peoples.

The Catholic Church, particularly the Papacy, was a major supporter of these explorations. The Church saw the New World as a fertile ground for the expansion of Christianity. The Papal Bulls of the 15th century, such as the 'Inter Caetera', granted explorers like Christopher Columbus the right to claim lands they discovered for their Christian monarchs, on the condition that they spread Christianity in these lands. This led to the establishment of missions in the New World, where indigenous peoples were often forcibly converted to Christianity.

Moreover, the religious schism in Europe following the Protestant Reformation further fuelled exploration. Catholic nations like Spain and Portugal sought to expand their influence and counter the spread of Protestantism by establishing Catholic colonies abroad. The English, on the other hand, motivated by their newly established Protestant faith, sought to establish their own colonies to spread Protestantism and counter Catholic influence.

Another significant religious motive was the desire to counter the spread of Islam. The fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Turks in 1453 had cut off Europe's overland trade routes to the East, leading to a surge in prices for Eastern goods like spices and silk. This prompted European nations to seek new sea routes to the East, both to re-establish trade and to circumvent the Islamic world. The Portuguese, for example, sought a sea route to India to break the Muslim monopoly on the spice trade.

In conclusion, while economic and political motives were certainly important, the desire to spread Christianity and counter Islam were key religious motivations behind European explorations. These religious motives were often intertwined with political and economic objectives, reflecting the complex nature of the Age of Discovery.