The MOST important motivation for the English government to explore and settle new lands was

A.
the desire to spread the Christian faith.

B.
the need to separate from the Catholic church.

C.
the desire to increase the wealth of the England.

D.
the need to protect itself from foreign invasion.

C. the desire to increase the wealth of England.

To determine the MOST important motivation for the English government to explore and settle new lands, we need to analyze each option:

A. The desire to spread the Christian faith: This was indeed a motivation for exploration and settlement, as the English sought to convert indigenous populations to Christianity. However, it was not the sole or primary motivation in this case.

B. The need to separate from the Catholic church: While there were religious tensions and conflicts between the English government and the Catholic Church, this was not the primary motivation for exploration and settlement.

C. The desire to increase the wealth of England: This was a significant motivation for the English government. They sought new trade routes, resources, and colonies that would bring economic benefits to England.

D. The need to protect itself from foreign invasion: While it can be argued that the desire to protect England from potential foreign invasions played a role in exploration and settlement, it was not the primary or most important motivation.

Considering all the options, the MOST important motivation for the English government to explore and settle new lands was C. the desire to increase the wealth of England. By discovering new territories, England could expand its commercial interests, acquire valuable resources, establish trade routes, and establish colonies to generate wealth and power.

C. the desire to increase the wealth of England.