* Economic Reasons: Spain was facing significant financial strain, and the discovery of new sources of wealth was seen as a way to alleviate this.
* Religious Zeal: Spain was a devoutly Catholic nation, and the desire to spread Christianity was a major motivator for exploration. The Spanish believed that finding new lands would allow them to convert indigenous populations to Christianity.
* National Pride: Spain was a powerful nation at the time, and finding new lands and resources was seen as a way to enhance its prestige and power.
While they also sought new trade routes to Asia, their primary focus remained on acquiring wealth and resources. This led to the Spanish colonization of the Americas, where they exploited vast gold and silver deposits.
It's important to note that the Spanish also sought other resources like spices, land for agriculture, and slaves. However, gold and silver remained their primary focus, and their pursuit of these riches shaped the course of history in the Americas and beyond.