What are three reasons and/or motivations for European exploration in the 15th and 16th centuries?

The aim to establish a religion, a goal of opening new trading routes, and an aim to uncover valuable items such as gold.

Explanation:

One of the main motivations for exploration from European countries during this time period was in fact to open up new trade routes.  Back then they did not have many of the luxuries that we have today which allow for fast travel of goods so trading routes were pivotal to the survival and success of civilizations back then.  It allowed different civilizations to meet together to barter and trade for goods that were not available in their region.  These explorations also hoped to uncover gold and other fine items that could be used for royalty or as bartering tokens to increase a nations wealth.  Lastly, Europeans who were vastly Christian aimed to spread their religion to other cultures who lived in other lands.

under god i have placed my chiest strentgh and the safe guard to my loyal subjects