Causes of the Age of Discovery
A glance back to the 15th and 16th centuries will take us to the Age of Discovery, a period of time when Western Europe, particularly Portugal and Spain, emerged as dominant forces and expressed this dominance in terms of imperialism and colonialism of foreign lands. ... An extensive study into the Age of Discovery will reveal how Gold and God were the major catalysts instigating Portuguese and Spanish conquests. They sought to extend their wealth through the discovery of gold and extend their Christian faith to other civilizations. ... This little but highly ambitious country headed the Western European age of exploration (Marcu 17). ... So now we can see that during the 15th and 16th centuries, Western Europe, particularly Portugal and Spain, sent out ships with the intent to extend the Christian faith and extend their wealth and power through the discovery of gold. It is not only important to review this slice of history to comprehend the causes of the Age of Discovery but it is just as important to take into account the drastic effects it had not only in Western Europe but on the rest of the world.