During the eighteenth century, many educated americans began to be influenced by the outlook of the european this philosophical movement, which originated among french thinkers and soon spread to britain, sought to apply the scientific method of careful investigation based on research and experiment to political and social life.

Analyze the quotation below in the context of european exploration in the americas. as you read the quote, think about what it says about columbus's motivations to explore. was he interested in gaining knowledge, wealth, or both? how did his motivations influence how he treated the people already living in the americas? i did not try to examine them in detail, because it could not be done in 50 years. for my desire is to see and discover as much as i can before returning to your highnesses, our lord willing, in april. it is true that in the event of finding places where there is gold or spices in quantity i should stop until i had collected as much as i could. i, therefore, proceed in the hope of coming across such places.