1. Land acquisition: The primary motivation was to acquire land for white settlement. The US government was eager to expand its territory and resources, and the removal of Native Americans from their ancestral lands in the East would open up vast areas for farming, mining, and other economic activities.
2. Manifest Destiny: The belief in Manifest Destiny, the idea that the United States had a divine right to expand its territory across the North American continent, influenced the government's policies toward Native Americans. Many policymakers saw the westward movement of settlers as inevitable and necessary for the country's progress and prosperity.
3. Cultural assimilation: Some government officials believed that moving Native Americans to the West would help assimilate them into white society and encourage them to adopt European-American values and customs. This assimilationist policy aimed to transform Native American tribes into "civilized" and productive citizens.
4. Control and security: The relocation of Native Americans to designated areas in the West was also seen as a way to maintain control and prevent conflicts between settlers and Native tribes. By confining Native Americans to specific regions, the government aimed to reduce tensions and make it easier to monitor their activities.
5. Pressure from settlers: Settlers who were eager to acquire land for farming and other purposes often pressured the government to remove Native Americans from their traditional territories. Political and economic interests played a significant role in shaping US policies toward Native American tribes.