In what ways might the professed motives of western explorers and colonists have differed from their real motives? would they ne

It is a widely held belief that explorers and colonizers sought to spread Christianity as they traveled the globe. However, the truth is that Columbus was actually searching for a route to the east (China and India) by navigating westward due to the obstruction of the conventional land route by Muslims who imposed hefty taxes on merchants. Their goal was to discover an alternate trade route free from Muslim control.

The crew members who sailed with Columbus were often from the lowest social strata, many attempting to evade incarceration for their past transgressions. Some were adventurers but far from the high-ranking elite of society. They ventured into the New World, aiming for power and wealth. Once the various monarchies recognized the New World's worth, they dispatched reliable individuals to establish an empire controlled by the Spanish, Portuguese, and English crowns.

While a portion of religious individuals did journey to the New World to promote Christianity, this also served as a means to exert control over the native population there.

Claiming they were spreading the true faith and rescuing the souls of millions in the New World was a strategy to justify the establishment of empires. The leaders were aware of their motives, while the followers generally executed their orders, although they still had some latitude in their actions far from their superiors in the homelands.