What was the primary reason for American colonization of the West?

The primary reason for American colonization of the West is rooted in the concept of Manifest Destiny. This ideology emerged in the 19th century and was based on the belief that the United States was destined to expand its territory across the North American continent, spreading its values, culture, and way of life. Manifest Destiny was not just a desire for land but a conviction that this expansion was divinely ordained and beneficial for both the settlers and the nation as a whole.

While economic opportunity, religious freedom, and escape from political persecution played roles in different contexts and for different groups, it was the overarching belief in Manifest Destiny that drove much of the expansionist mindset of the time. This belief justified policies and actions such as the annexation of Texas, the Oregon Trail migrations, and the displacement of Native American tribes, as settlers moved westward seeking to fulfill this perceived destiny.