Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?

The correct answer is Native Americans, as they were the original inhabitants of the land we now call the United States long before European explorers and settlers arrived. Native American tribes lived across the continent, with distinct cultures, languages, and ways of life that had developed over thousands of years.

The presence of colonists refers to the European settlers who arrived after the Native Americans. African slaves were forcibly brought to America in the 17th and 18th centuries, primarily as a result of the transatlantic slave trade, thus arriving after Europeans had established colonies. Europeans themselves are obviously the group that came later and are not the original inhabitants of the land.

Understanding the history of the Native Americans is crucial as it highlights the diverse cultures that existed prior to European colonization and the profound impact that colonization had on these indigenous peoples.