There are three main reasons that influenced the exploration of the Americans. one was economic advancement where the European powers were pushed by their desire to lure gold. The trade brought valuables such as spices, silk, and raw materials and minerals. It was also a way to create a market for manufactured products such as cloth, iron products, and guns. It was in their interest to find trade routes with wealthy lands in the east and eliminate Muslim middlemen. Another reason was a religion where the European powers desired to spread Christianity into the Americans and convert the natives as well as establish their religious dominance.