* Natural Resources: The European discovered an abundance of natural resources in the New World that they could not find in Europe. These resources included gold, silver, timber, and furs.
* Colonies: Europeans established colonies in the New World to expand their empires. Colonies could be used as a source of raw materials and a market for European goods.
* Missionary Work: Christian missionaries were eager to spread their religion to the indigenous people of the New World.
* Prestige: Discovering and claiming land in the New World was a sign of prestige for European countries.
Disadvantages:
* Disease: European explorers and colonists brought diseases with them to the New World that devastated the indigenous population. These diseases included smallpox, measles, and influenza.
* Conflicts with the Indigenous Peoples: Europeans often came into conflict with the indigenous peoples of the New World over land and resources.
* Competition: European countries were constantly competing with each other for control of the New World. This competition sometimes led to war.