The earliest inhabitants of North America were Native Americans who lived in various tribes across the continent. The most advanced civilizations developed complex societies in Mesoamerica, with cities, advanced mathematics, astronomy, and calendars. The first European explorers were Norsemen in the 11th century, followed by Portuguese and Spanish explorers in the 15th century seeking trade routes and riches. Columbus worked for the Spanish crown after being turned down by other monarchs. Early Spanish settlements focused on extracting gold and silver but ultimately declined due to overworking native populations. English settlements began with fur trapping and trading with natives, and later grew tobacco farming in Jamestown as a profitable export. Puritan migration established self-governing colonies

1. A new world Ch 1 Who were the earliest inhabitants of America?