Which of the following was NOT a motivation for European exploration of the New World?

The motivation for European exploration of the New World was driven primarily by the desire for wealth, power, and religious expansion. Europeans were eager to find new resources, such as gold and silver, to enhance their wealth and strengthen their nation’s economy. This quest for riches was closely linked to the ambition of rulers who sought to increase their power and prestige by claiming new territories. Additionally, there was a strong desire to spread Christianity, particularly among European powers like Spain and Portugal, who saw exploration as an opportunity to convert indigenous populations.

While military alliances and power dynamics played a role in some aspects of European politics, they were not the primary motivations for the initial exploration of the New World. The focus was more on exploration for economic gain, national prestige, and religious evangelism rather than establishing military partnerships. Therefore, establishing strong military alliances is accurately identified as not being a significant motivation for the period of exploration characterized by the European powers' ventures into the New World.