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A.
To spread Christianity to new lands
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B.
To establish trade routes and acquire valuable resources
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C.
To establish colonies for surplus populations
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D.
To spread European culture and civilization to other parts of the world
Correct Option: BExplanation:
While religious motivations certainly played a role in European exploration, the primary driving force was economic. European powers sought to establish new trade routes to Asia and acquire valuable resources such as spices, precious metals, and exotic goods. They also sought to establish colonies as markets for their own goods and to provide raw materials for their growing industries. While the spread of European culture and civilization was often touted as a justification for colonization, it was a secondary goal at best.