Why did many Virginians move west after the American Revolution? Responses They hoped to find gold and silver on the western side of the mountains. They hoped to find gold and silver on the western side of the mountains. They wanted to claim new territories for the United States in Spanish lands. They wanted to claim new territories for the United States in Spanish lands. They were looking for better land after tobacco wore out their farms. They were looking for better land after tobacco wore out their farms. Their land had been ruined by fighting during the Revolutionary War.