Who were the original inhabitants of America before European arrival?

The original inhabitants of America before European arrival were the American Indians, also known as Native Americans. These Indigenous peoples have diverse cultures, languages, and histories that predate European exploration and colonization by thousands of years. They settled across the continent, adapting to various environments and developing rich traditions and societies.

In contrast, Mexican Americans, while an important cultural group, primarily emerged from the blending of Indigenous peoples and Spanish colonizers in what is now Mexico and parts of the southwestern United States. Europeans, such as the Spanish, French, and English, began arriving in the late 15th century, leading to significant changes and conflicts with Indigenous populations. African Americans, similarly, have a unique history linked to the transatlantic slave trade beginning in the 17th century, but they were not the original inhabitants of the land. The distinction lies in understanding that before any European influence, the Native American tribes and nations were the first to inhabit and shape the American landscape.