Pre/ Early America
The only place to start, in this case, is the beginning. This section is dedicated to the U.S before it was Colonized, events leading up to it's colonization, as well as events after it's colonization. Basically, this page will talk about the U.S in it's early days.
Pre-Colonial America:
As is commonly known, the U.S was populated before the Europeans came via boat. These Early inhabitants were known as "Indians" by the Europeans at this time, as they believed they had landed on India when they first arrived. Nowadays, of course, we refer the this people by their Tribal name (E.g, Cherokee) or more commonly, by the name "Native Americans". These people lived in the U.S ,(which was also not known by the name "U.S" at the time) and were spread across the entire country. They lived in relatively simple domains, (when compared to the Europeans that came later) and lived un-industrious lives in the same area for most, if not all of their lives. Thus they remained until the Colombian/Colonial Era.
It is not known when exactly the Native Americans came to the U.S originally, however, one theory states that they came first from across a massive land bridge from Eurasia (Europe/Asia) into what is now Alaska, and from there migrated south. This may have happened around 10,000 years, ago, and it is difficult to get any more accurate than that. When they would have arrived, these Native Americans would have been fundamentally different than the ones that were alive around the 1600's, so it is difficult to guess about their culture at the time.
It is not known when exactly the Native Americans came to the U.S originally, however, one theory states that they came first from across a massive land bridge from Eurasia (Europe/Asia) into what is now Alaska, and from there migrated south. This may have happened around 10,000 years, ago, and it is difficult to get any more accurate than that. When they would have arrived, these Native Americans would have been fundamentally different than the ones that were alive around the 1600's, so it is difficult to guess about their culture at the time.
Colonial/ Colombian era
This time is easily one of the most important times in american history. This time is generally marked as the beginning of European voyages and colonization of the America's. Most famously, Christopher Columbus was the first to journey to the "New world" in 1492, but this is not entirely true. He was certainly the first to make a big deal about it, but he was also not the first European on the continent. Almost 700 years before Columbus, the Vikings landed on the shores of America. There are some theories that they tried to have some sort of settlement, but were driven off by the natives. Another theory states that before Columbus, but after the Vikings, common European fishermen and traders had visited the U.S, and simply didn't make any big deal about it. Either way, Columbus was not the first European to arrive.
Of course, since Columbus was one of the main reasons for later colonization, we must note his story. Columbus was and Italian-Spanish navigator, who set out on a voyage for the king and queen of Spain; looking for a new route to Asia, going west instead of east. The voyage was made up of 3 ships, the Nina, The Pinta, and The Santa Maria. Of course, this voyage did not result in a landing in Asia, but rather, in America. Over the journey, he found several multiple large and small Islands, including The Bahamas, Cuba, and what would later become the Dominican Republic and Haiti. The Santa Maria later wrecked, and parts from her were salvaged to make a fort called La Navidad. However, never during his first journey, or during and of his 3 later voyages, did Columbus actually land in America. He just publicized it.
-Below is a map of Columbus' 4 journeys
(Taken Legally from Google images and kids.britannica.com)
Of course, since Columbus was one of the main reasons for later colonization, we must note his story. Columbus was and Italian-Spanish navigator, who set out on a voyage for the king and queen of Spain; looking for a new route to Asia, going west instead of east. The voyage was made up of 3 ships, the Nina, The Pinta, and The Santa Maria. Of course, this voyage did not result in a landing in Asia, but rather, in America. Over the journey, he found several multiple large and small Islands, including The Bahamas, Cuba, and what would later become the Dominican Republic and Haiti. The Santa Maria later wrecked, and parts from her were salvaged to make a fort called La Navidad. However, never during his first journey, or during and of his 3 later voyages, did Columbus actually land in America. He just publicized it.
-Below is a map of Columbus' 4 journeys
(Taken Legally from Google images and kids.britannica.com)
Later, the real Colonization of America began. Around the 1540's, Many of the European countries sent boats filled with colonists came to settle the Eastern coast (which would later become the 13 Colonies). As said before, America was originally colonized by the British, Spanish, and French, but later, the Spanish focused farther south, in South America, while France concentrated slightly more north, in Canada. The British had a major presence in Canada of course, but it is America we care about. The British stayed put, and thus, the Thirteen colonies would later reflect England to a certain degree.