Question

Which was a common motivating force behind the explorations of France, Spain, England, and Portugal?

Answer 1

Spain, Portugal, England and France all wanted to establish territories in the Western Hemisphere. The reasons were to gain more territory and to take advantage of all the raw resources found in the New World, Especially gold and silver along with timber and other resources. It was for a Competition of the Empires so that they'd become the most powerful in the world.