The crown created civil and religious structures to administer this vast territory. The main motivations for colonial expansion were profit through resource extraction and the spread of Catholicism through indigenous conversions. The loss of these territories ended Spanish rule in the Americas.

From 1492 to the 1800s, Spanish explorers were the bullies of the New World. Beginning with Columbus in 1492 and continuing for nearly 350 years, Spain conquered and settled most of South America, the Caribbean, and the American Southwest.

Portugal was a leading country in the European exploration of the world in the 15th century. The Treaty of Tordesillas in 1494 divided the Earth outside Europe into Castilian and Portuguese global territorial hemispheres for exclusive conquest and colonization.

France and Spain had a strong mutual hatred and the French would befriend any of Spain’s enemies. It became more of a war between France and Spain. Spain lost the war and territories and the right to be called a world power, bringing about the decline of the Spanish empire which the Anglo Spanish war helped cement.

Gold – Nations were always looking for new sources of wealth. Glory – Individual explorers competed for fame and honor for both themselves and their countries. God – Europeans believed it was their duty to bring Christianity to the non-believers of the world.

If they went exploring, they could come into contact with non-Christians and could try to convert those people. Thus, we say that “God” was one reason for exploration. The desire for gold was also a motivation. The basic idea is simply that Europeans believed that they could make money by going out exploring.

Glory, Gold, and God, also know as the Three G’s. Together, these motivations fostered the Golden Age of Exploration.

the desire to spread and expand Christianity

Historians generally recognize three motives for European exploration and colonization in the New World: God, gold, and glory.

This dictum portrays the main motives of the explorers during the Age of Exploration. “God” stands for the desire to spread and expand Christianity. “Glory” stands for greater power and a larger empire. And finally, “gold” stands for the attainment of gold, silver, and other precious stones for greater wealth.

Historians use a standard shorthand, “Gold, God, and Glory,” to describe the motives generating the overseas exploration, expansion, and conquests that allowed various European countries to rise to world power between 1400 and 1750. “Glory” alludes to the competition between monarchies.

The 3 G’s – Gold, God, and Glory Gold: They wanted wealth of their own!