What European beliefs and attitudes governed their relations with Native Americans?

European beliefs and attitudes towards Native Americans were largely shaped by notions of superiority, cultural ethnocentrism, and a desire for economic gain. Many Europeans viewed Indigenous peoples as "savages" in need of civilization and conversion to Christianity, which justified colonization and exploitation. Additionally, the belief in manifest destiny and land ownership led to the dispossession of Native lands, as Europeans sought to expand their territories and resources. This confluence of attitudes fostered a complex and often hostile relationship characterized by conflict, displacement, and attempts at assimilation.