Europeans exploited the land of the americas in the 1400s and 1500s because they wanted to a. use it to create new kingdoms. b. gain wealth quickly. c. find new routes to asia. d. leave nothing behind for other peoples

Europeans exploited the land of the Americas in the 1400s and 1500s because they wanted to find new routes to Asia. Option C is correct.

Vasco da Gama found a way to reach the Indian Ocean by going around the tip of Africa,  Nevertheless, the trip was perilous because of the weather conditions of the coast of Africa.  Many Europeans speculated that Asia could be reached more quickly if they sailed west. As a result, further explorations led by Columbus took place and accidentaly, explorers discovered the Americas and the Caribbean.