What is the primary economic motivation behind the establishment of joint stock companies?

The primary economic motivation behind the establishment of joint stock companies was profit sharing. These companies were created during the Age of Exploration as a means for investors to pool their resources and share the risks associated with colonization and trade ventures. By allowing multiple investors to buy shares in a venture, joint stock companies reduced the financial burden on any single individual and enabled larger projects, like establishing colonies or exploring new trade routes, to be funded.

The structure of joint stock companies facilitated the ability to raise capital efficiently, which was essential for funding expensive expeditions and settlement projects that might otherwise have been too risky for individuals to undertake alone. Profit sharing incentivized more people to invest since they could potentially earn returns on their investments based on the company's success.

In contrast, options such as religious freedom, the spread of agriculture, and land ownership, while they played significant roles in the broader context of colonization and economics during the period, do not directly address the primary motivation for creating joint stock companies. These companies were fundamentally about the economic principles of investment, risk management, and profit, making profit sharing the correct answer.