“What factors in the European Society gave rise to the Age of Exploration?Circa the 15th century , Europe was recuperating from the effects of the 14th century. After the devastating Black Plague, Europeans craved the change and expansion that only a new Epoch could cure, and thus the Age of Exploration began.Part of the reason for Europe attempting to expand was the sudden population explosion. Europe’s population nearly doubled between the years of 1500 and 1650.