How much would you risk for your country? European explorers were willing to risk everything.
They didn’t have a lot of information. The journey was always dangerous. They could get lost. Storms could wreck their ships. The crew could get sick. Still, their desire to find the world’s farthest regions was very strong. They wanted wealth, fame, and adventure. They were also looking to bring glory to their country and themselves. Their journeys were often paid for, or sponsored, by monarchs. These rulers wanted new trade routes, more natural resources, and new territory around the world. Many Europeans also wanted to spread Christianity. They saw it as a sacred duty.
Now you know why so many explorers sailed into the unknown between the mid-15th and the mid-16th centuries. This was the start of the Age of Discovery. It was a time that changed the course of human history forever.
