Vasco De Gama Characterizes The Motivation Behind Western European Exploration Of Asia

Christians and Spices: this is apparently what Vasco De Gama replied when asked what he was searching for in his voyage to Asia. It is this direct and candid response that clearly characterizes the motivation behind Western European exploration of Asia. Following the Crusades and the Renaissance, the European desires for exotic Asian luxury goods skyrocketed. Europeans began looking for quick, direct trade routes to Asia from the west to avoid Muslim and Italian merchants and increase their profits (Winn, 2/1). As explorers discovered new resources, they also sought to expand Christianity and win religious converts. These resources were brought back to Europe where merchants made their profits.