1. God: Many explorers were driven by a desire to spread Christianity to the "heathen" peoples of the world. Missionaries often accompanied explorers on their voyages, and they sought to convert the indigenous peoples they encountered to Christianity.
2. Gold: The discovery of new lands often led to the acquisition of valuable resources, including gold, silver, and other precious metals. Many explorers were motivated by the desire for wealth and the accumulation of riches.
3. Glory: The exploration and conquest of new territories brought fame and glory to those who participated in these expeditions. Explorers sought to make their names known to the world and to gain recognition for their achievements.
These three motivations were often intertwined and mutually reinforcing. The desire to spread Christianity, for example, often led to the acquisition of wealth and glory, as European powers competed to control the resources and trade routes of the newly discovered lands. Similarly, the desire for wealth and glory could also lead to the conversion of indigenous peoples to Christianity, as explorers and colonizers sought to legitimize their rule by justifying it as a religious mission.
The quote "God, gold, and glory" encapsulates the complex motivations and driving forces that shaped the European exploration and colonization of the world during the Age of Exploration.