What were the main motivations for European exploration of the Americas in the late 15th century?

The main motivations for European exploration of the Americas in the late 15th century were indeed driven by the search for new trade routes. During this period, European nations, particularly Spain and Portugal, were looking to expand their trade networks beyond established routes to Asia and Africa. The desire for valuable goods such as spices, gold, and silk fueled these explorations, as traditional overland routes were often long, dangerous, and controlled by rival powers or territories.

The discovery of the New World opened up new possibilities for trade, commerce, and wealth that had not previously been accessible to Europeans. This was evident with Columbus's voyages, which were originally intended to find a westward route to Asia but instead led to the European awareness of the American continents. The economic motivations behind these explorations set the stage for colonization, the exploitation of natural resources, and the establishment of trade systems that would have lasting effects on global economic patterns.

In contrast, while military expansion and establishing alliances were parts of European strategy in the New World, they were not the primary motivations driving the early explorations. Similarly, focusing on colonies in Africa did not address the specific impetus for exploration of the Americas, which was largely directed towards new transatlantic opportunities.