Do you think that European expansion to the “New World” was primarily

Do you think that European expansion to the “New World” was primarily motivated by a concern for economic gain, religious conversion, or simple curiosity? Justify your choice.

What will be an ideal response?

ANSWER
All three were involved, but the primary motive was economic. Consider: the Spanish monarchs’ excitement over Columbus’s report of gold; conquistadores’ expectation of personal and national wealth; European exploitation of Native Americans and African slaves to produce wealth; English use of profit-seeking trading companies to establish colonies; Dutch and French emphasis on trade profits with Native Americans.