Early Rationales/Motives for Exploration and Colonization
Trade routes unencumbered by existing taxes/tariffs
Easier route to goods (fabrics, spices, trinkets & curios) desired for sale in Europe
Missionary desire for more Catholic subjects, i.e. to convert "Asians" (& later "Indians"), in wake of Reformation
(later) gold, gold, gold! $, $, $! Profit, profit, profit!
land-grab in the wake of the English breaking of the Spanish Armada, capture of several Spanish and Portugese galleons by the English & Dutch
Leverage against competing European powers