“The main reason for exploration was a desire to open trade routes for luxury goods.” Discuss.

The question requires that candidates offer a considered and balanced review of the statement that the main reason for exploration was a desire to open trade routes for luxury goods. Candidates may refer to the importance of luxury goods such as silk, gold, silver, ivory, porcelain and tea, which could be considered an impetus for exploration. Internal demand for these types of resources by certain social classes, such as the nobility and aristocracy, drove many of these classes to fund expeditions and also sparked the merchant classes to try to provide these goods. Other relevant factors may be addressed, for example the Renaissance spirit linked to testing human ability; a desire to explore the unknown and to expand their knowledge of the world; economic expansion and competition particularly along Muslim and Italian trade routes; and the religious motive to expand Christianity also played a significant role. Candidates’ opinions or conclusions will be presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence.

The question required that candidates offer a considered and balanced review of the statement that the main reason for exploration was a desire to open trade routes for luxury goods. Few responses were seen to this question. There was some knowledge shown of the reasons for and details of exploration.