FREE ESSAY ON MOTIVES FOR EXPLORATION

MOTIVES FOR EXPLORATION

Until the late 1400's, Europeans did not know the existence of the two American continents
( North and South America ). To the European explorers, exploring the other side of the
Atlantic was like exploring an entire different world, hence the name- the New World. In
1492, Christopher Columbus unknowingly discovered the new continent. His original motives
for exploring was to find an easier route to Asia but instead, he discovered the New
World. Thus; Spain, France and England began sending out conquistadors and explorers to
the uncharted terrains of the new continent. Motives for the Spanish, French, and English
explorers varied greatly, however, they were similar in some ways.
The motives of the Spanish explorers were acquisition of mineral wealth, spread of
Christianity, search of El Dorado, search of Northwestern Passage, and thrill of
adventure. The treasures that Columbus brought back to Spain enticed many adventurous
explorers and sent them searching for gold and silver. Missionary clergymen sought to
serve God by converting the natives to Christianity. By 1634, the area of present-day
Florida and Georgia was home to 30 Spanish missionaries, 44 missionary
stations, and 30,000 Indian converts to Catholicism. Within a few decades, Spanish
explorers became familiar with the northern coast of South America, the Pacific Ocean,
the Atlantic shore of North America, the Isthmus of Panama, the Gulf of Mexico and
conclusively- the general outlines of the New World. Despite their knowledge, the Spanish
persisted in searching for a Northwest Passage. Some individuals were attempting to
escape from religious, political, economic oppression and the seemingly endless number of
wars in Europe. The New World offered ownership of land and thrill of adventure. During
the 16th century, a great deal of exploring was spent on searching for the fabled 'El
Dorado,' which is defined as a place of vast riches or abundance.
Like the Spanish power, France was impelled by a desire to spread Christianity, to find
wealth, and to counter the efforts of other nations. France also hoped to find a new
water route to the East through the North American Continent. French explorers sailed
down the St. Lawrence, across the waterways of Canada, through the Great Lakes, and
finally to the Mississippi River and its vast drainage system. They did not find the
Northwestern Passageway but found endless forests filled with fur-bearing animals and
Indians eager to trade instead. Using the animals as a resource, the French became
prominent in the New World mainly with fur trade. Unlike explorers such as Soto and
colonizers at Roanoke, the traders realized the importance of dealing with the Indians
and was consequently more successful. And from the fur trade, trading posts were
established. The friars brought Christianity to the Indians. The French missionaries had
a less lasting influence on the native population than the Spanish. They did not find any
major missions but instead had many temporary mission stations, where priests read masses
and performed sacraments.
Motives for English explorers were the Northwest Passage, riches from colonization, and
more land. Many of them were escaping from the religious wars that basically took over
England in the 17th century. Unique to the English were the motives of the need for more
land for England's surplus population and colonization. Because of all the knowledge of
the New World paved out already, England explored for the best possible places to
colonize and was ready to establish settlements. Of all the European influences on the
United States, those of the English were the most substantial and enduring. Like Spain
and France, England was also searching for the Northwest Passage. During the period
1576-1578 , Martin Frobisher made three voyages to the northernmost part of the New World
and it was thought that he had found, at long last, the Northwest
Passage to the Orient. But after the failure of two more expeditions, the Company of
Cathay went bankrupt. After England defeated the Spanish Armada in 1588, England became
the leader of the three major European countries.
Motives for the Spanish, French, and English were alike in that they all wanted to find
the Northwest Passage and they all had the curiosity of what the New World held. However
there were more differences in their motives than there were likenesses. Spain was
motivated by gold and silver, spreading Christianity, El Dorado, and the thrill of
adventure. France was motivated by the successful fur trade and trading posts. England's
motivation was riches from colonization, religious and political freedom and more land.
From the search for gold and silver to wanting more land, it all boiled down to the
countries being greedy. They all knew that they would profit, whether it be from gold (
Spain ), trading ( France ) , or colonies ( England ). But from these three countries,
America has been enriched by their heritage. A source of strength, this heritage still
lives today - centuries after the initial European exploration and settlement - a
distinctive American civilization has been created.