Identify the religious motivations that led to European exploration. What was the cause/effect each motivation contributed to European exploration?(1 point) Responses Muslim conquests into Iberia and hostile Christian missionaries were two of the most important motivators. These hostile missionaries would wage war against Indigenous populations in the New World. Muslim conquests into Iberia and hostile Christian missionaries were two of the most important motivators. These hostile missionaries would wage war against Indigenous populations in the New World. Missionaries were sent to convert Muslims through violent means during the Reconquista. The Reconquista was a successful experiment in using missionaries against a “hostile” religion. Missionaries were sent to convert Muslims through violent means during the Reconquista. The Reconquista was a successful experiment in using missionaries against a “hostile” religion. The Crusades showcased how Christian missionaries peacefully spread their religion to foreign peoples. This would later influence Christian rulers during the age of exploration. The Crusades showcased how Christian missionaries peacefully spread their religion to foreign peoples. This would later influence Christian rulers during the age of exploration. Violent conversion rooted in the Reconquista and Crusades, coupled with charitable causes from Christian missions, were both important motivators during European exploration.

In addition to the motivations mentioned above, religious motivations that led to European exploration also included:

1. Spreading Christianity: One of the primary motivations was to spread Christianity to new lands and convert indigenous populations to the faith. This was seen as a religious duty and an opportunity to expand the influence of Christianity.

2. Competition among Christian denominations: Different Christian denominations, such as Catholicism and Protestantism, wanted to establish dominance and gain followers in new territories. The exploration served as a means to promote their particular version of Christianity.

3. Seeking religious freedom: Some explorers and settlers were motivated by the desire to escape religious persecution in their homelands. They hoped to establish new colonies where they could freely practice their faith without interference.

4. Searching for mythical Christian communities: There were beliefs in mythical Christian communities like Prester John, which were said to exist in unknown lands. Explorers were eager to find these communities and establish contact with them.

5. Material wealth for religious purposes: The Church and religious institutions needed funds to support their activities, including missionary work and building churches. Explorers hoped to discover new sources of wealth and riches that could be used to support these religious endeavors.

These religious motivations contributed to European exploration by fueling the desire to expand territories, engage in missionary work, establish colonies, and seek economic opportunities. They also played a role in the justification of conquest, colonization, and the mistreatment of indigenous populations, as well as conflicts with non-Christian civilizations encountered during exploration.