European Expansion: Motivations and Technologies

So, why did Europeans suddenly decide the known world wasn't quite enough? Let's be blunt: it wasn't just for a nice holiday. Gold, spices, and general riches were a huge draw, promising vast wealth to those who could find new routes and lands. Then there was the whole 'spreading the word' thing, though conveniently, converting souls often went hand-in-hand with claiming their land and resources. Add a dash of national rivalry and the sheer thrill of the unknown, and you had quite the cocktail of reasons to set sail into the terrifying blue.

Of course, wanting to go somewhere and actually getting there are two different things, especially when 'there' is across a massive, angry ocean. Thankfully for these ambitious adventurers, technology had finally caught up with their greed and zeal. Better ship designs, like the sturdy caravel, meant they could handle rough seas and longer voyages. Navigational aids like the astrolabe and compass, though imperfect, became essential tools for not getting hopelessly lost (most of the time).