The primary motivation for European exploration during the Age of Discovery was the pursuit of new trade routes and wealth, particularly in spices, gold, and other valuable commodities. The collapse of the Silk Road and the rise of the Ottoman Empire prompted European nations to seek alternate maritime routes to the East Indies. Additionally, the desire for territorial expansion, political power, and the spread of Christianity fueled explorations. Innovations in navigation, shipbuilding, and cartography, alongside the sponsorship of voyages by monarchs, allowed European explorers like Columbus, Vasco da Gama, and Magellan to embark on daring journeys that reshaped global trade and cultural exchanges.