The primary motivation behind European exploration of North America, as stated in the video, was economic. Specifically, it was driven by the search for a new trade route to the East after the fall of Constantinople in 1453. The prevailing thought was that sailing west would lead to China.
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This video provides a historical overview of the early development of Montreal, from its pre-European inhabitation to the establishment of the city in the 17th and 18th centuries. It covers the motivations for European exploration, key figures like Jacques Cartier and Samuel de Champlain, early settlements, conflicts with Indigenous peoples and other European powers, and the establishment of religious and commercial institutions.