Which situation was not a motivating factor for the age of exploration?

A. European governments wanted access to new trade routes.

B. Christians in Europe wanted to convert other people to their religion.

C. Merchants wanted to avoid paying taxes to the Ottoman Empire.

D. Explores wanted to spread the idea of the Enlightenment.

The correct option is D.

The age of exploration is used to refer to that period in the European history during which extensive efforts were made at exploration and new discovery. That period was regarded as the beginning of globalization. There were many factors which geared people towards exploration at that time and these include: the need to get access to new trade routes, getting Christianity religion across to other nations, etc. Spreading the idea of new enlightenment was not one of these factors.