They were often launched in the hopes of finding alternative sailing routes to Asia
Explanation:
Portugal was not the only country interested in the emerging lands of the northwest Atlantic. Both England and France were concerned to stake their claims as well, disputing the right of the Pope to divide the world between Spain and Portugal.
Like the Portuguese, they were interested in establishing the geography of the region, and were especially interested to find out whether a viable westerly route to Asia actually existed. This was the primary reason for those English voyages which took place after Cabot. By contrast, the French were as interested in the potential of the fisheries, and the other resources which the region had to offer and also trying to find an alternative route to Asia.
