Manifest Destiny
When the Revolutionary War ended and the Colonists got independence, they started moving west because it wasn't illegal, like when it was under British control. In the 19th century, the belief developed in America that it was destined to stretch from the east coast to the west coast. This belief was called "Manifest Destiny". Manifest Destiny said that God blessed the American expansion westward. The Americans believed that the Native Americans were heathen and if they converted the Native American tribes to Christianity they would "save thousands of lives." The idea also stated that the Americans were superior to the Native Americans and that they needed "civilization." However, the Native Americans did not like this.