Why did David Livingstone be come an explorer?

Answer 1

David Livingstone became an explorer for 3 reasons (the 3 C's as you might remember it):

1. Christianity
2. Commerce
3. Civilization

In fact, these three C's worked together as the sole motivation for Imperialism at this time.

David Livingstone came into Africa as both a missionary and a doctor. In his Cambridge speech of 1857, he claimed that his object in going into the "country south of the desert was to instruct the natives in a knowledge of Christianity". Now, naturally, by introducing the concepts of Christianity and the Gospel to these natives, Livingstone would be able to civilize them. The British saw themselves as the sole embodiment of high civilization, with Christianity adding onto their civilized nature. The second C (commerce) comes along with civilization. In civilizing these natives through Christianity, Livingstone will be able to create formal relations among these beings. These relations bring opportunities for trade between these countries and England.

Therefore, although Livingstone became an explorer for the sake of Christianity, he also widened his ambitions to embody the style of imperialism at this time.

Answer 2

Exploration & spreading the Gospel to native Africans.