Why did European countries believe that exploring other parts of the world would help them become more powerful?

The issue of trade routes

Explanation:

European merchants had to pass through the Mediterranean Sea, which was controlled by the Turks. They had to pay hefty fees to transport their goods. They hoped to find new trading routes they they could have monopolies on. When the American continents were discovered to possess vast amounts of gold and other precious metals, the race to explore and colonize reached its peak. In other words: MONEY would make them powerful, and they wanted to exploit every chance they could to be more powerful.

they wanted spices, wealth, gold, expand trade routes and change of religion.

Explanation:

They thought they could find spices, wealth, gold, new trade routes, and discover new reilgons is they explored

i got this from google and kinda elaborated

uniform, random, and clumped.

explanation:

mark brainliest if this : )