The primary economic motive was the desire to find a direct sea route to the valuable spices and luxury goods of Asia.

European powers sought to bypass the monopoly on the overland trade routes held by the Italian city-states (like Venice) and the Ottoman Empire.

The slogan 'God, Gold, and Glory' summarizes the key motivations.

'God' refers to the religious zeal to spread Christianity and convert non-Christian peoples.

'Gold' represents the quest for wealth, not only from spices but also from precious metals and new resources.

'Glory' reflects the ambition of individual explorers and the desire of monarchs to increase the power and prestige of their nations.

The Renaissance fostered a spirit of curiosity, adventure, and a desire to learn more about the world.

Centralized nation-states, with strong and wealthy monarchies, had the resources to sponsor expensive overseas voyages.

Tales from earlier travelers, like Marco Polo, sparked the European imagination about the riches of the East.

Competition between rival European nations, particularly Spain and Portugal, also fueled the race for exploration.