What of these events during the age of exploration was a cause of the other 3?

The age of exploration was significantly driven by the quest for new trade routes to access valuable goods like spices, silk, and precious metals. This desire for trade led to the establishment of colonial empires, as European nations sought to expand their influence and secure resources. Consequently, the rivalry for these territories often sparked conflicts and competition among European powers, ultimately resulting in the enslavement and exploitation of indigenous populations. Thus, the pursuit of trade routes was a primary cause of colonial expansion, conflict, and exploitation during this period.