european exploration

Question

what was the europeans motivation for globalization?

A. Europeans were curious about new cultures and tolerant of other ways

B. Europeans were primarily motivated by religious and humanitarian goals

c. Europeans were certain of their success In the new world

D. Europeans’ experience of the new world was biased by their own desires and motivations

Answer 1

Of these choices, D is most accurate. The desires and motivations of different groups of European explorers and settlers obviously differed (New Amsterdam was not established for the same reasons that Cortes conquered Mexico, for example), but none of the motivations were humanitarian as we would define the term.

There was no desire to “encounter” new cultures in any spirit of equality and open friendly exchange (outside of a small segment of Europeans in any national group in each generation between 1492 and let’s say the 19th century). The spirit was overwhelmingly “we’re superior, you are inferior”.

Religion was involved, but as an expression of the superiority of one nation’s /emerging empire’s theological and cultural system over others, both European rivals’ beliefs and those of the indigenous nations. *Ethics* was the consideration of dissenting voices, like Las Casas or some of the English Quakers.

Answer 2

Of the answers provided, D would probably be the correct one, although B is half-correct. Let me explain:

When it comes to European exploration, always remember the three G's: God, Gold, Glory. The Europeans wanted to expand for three reasons: spreading Christianity, the need to find more gold because they had been paying China in gold and silver bullion, thus causing deflation, and the desire for more land. Here, you can see why B is a little confusing because while the Europeans were motivated by religious goals, they were not motivated by humanitarian ones. This is evidenced by their treatment of the native Africans who they used as slave labor. A is not correct because the desire to encounter new cultures was not the primary motivation, and C is not correct because, for the time, exploration and long-distance voyages were very risky. Therefore, D must be the correct answer since the Europeans desires (God, Gold, Glory) was selfish in nature.

Answer 3

D-The motivation was largely financial in terms of colonization and imperialism.