Why was the discovery of the new world a momentous event?

Columbus's voyage of discovery also had another important result; it contributed to the development of the modern concept of progress. To many Europeans, the New World seemed to be a place of innocence, freedom, and eternal youth. ... But the discovery of the New World threw many supposedly universal ideals into doubt.

Explanation:

a, c, & d are correct:

they wanted lands to settle the extra population.

they wanted new markets for english goods.

they wanted to avoid civil war.