Answer:
C. They wanted an easier, shorter path to the riches of East Asia.
Explanation:
Prior to the fifteenth century, Europe had traded with East Asia by travelling by land through paths such as the Silk Road. However, this was a long and dangerous journey, which became even more difficult after the rise of the Ottoman Empire. Therefore, many countries became interested with finding an easier, more direct route from Europe to East Asia. This led to what is now known as the Age of Exploration.
