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In 1817, the Cherokee became the first Native Americans recognized as U.S. citizens. Under Article 8 of the 1817 Cherokee treaty, "Upwards of 300 Cherokees (Heads of Families) in the honest simplicity of their souls, made an election to become American citizens."
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- HISTORY Vault: Native American History
As explorers sought to colonize their land, Native Americans responded in various stages, from cooperation to indignation to revolt.
Long before Christopher Columbus stepped foot on what would come to be known as the Americas, the expansive territory was inhabited by Native Americans. Throughout the 16th and 17th centuries, as more explorers sought to colonize their land, Native Americans responded in various stages, from cooperation to indignation to revolt.
After siding with the French in numerous battles during the French and Indian War and eventually being forcibly removed from their homes under Andrew Jackson’s Indian Removal Act, Native American populations were diminished in size and territory by the end of the 19th century.
Below are events that shaped Native Americans’ tumultuous history following the arrival of foreign settlers.
Native American Cultures
1492: Christopher Columbus lands on a Caribbean Island after three months of traveling. Believing at first that he had reached the East Indies, he describes the natives he meets as “Indians.” On his first day, he orders six natives to be seized as servants.
From Comanche warriors to Navajo code talkers, learn more about Indigenous history.
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- Missy Sullivan
Aug 21, 2023 · When did Native Americans first arrive in North America and from where? Native Americans are thought to have begun arriving in North America from Asia c. 40,000 BCE to c. 14,000 BCE through a series of migrations across the land bridge between Siberia and Alaska known as Beringia as well as by sea.
- Joshua J. Mark
- Native Americans of North America are called Native Americans, American Indians, Indigenous Americans, Indigenous Peoples, and First Americans.
- The North American Native Peoples are thought to have originated in Asia and migrated to North America beginning c. 40,000 BCE.
- The oldest Native American city found thus far in America is Watson Brake in Louisiana dated to c. 3500 BCE.
Jul 21, 2015 · About 13,000 years ago—much more recent than previous theories—Native Americans started to split into different groups, creating the genetic and cultural diversity that exists today.
The ancestors of the American Indians were nomadic hunters of northeast Asia who migrated over the Bering Strait land bridge into North America probably during the last glacial period (11,500–30,000 years ago). By c. 10,000 bc they had occupied much of North, Central, and South America.
Native American History Timeline. Long before Christopher Columbus stepped foot on what would come to be known as the Americas, the expansive territory was inhabited by Native Americans.
The sections below consider broad trends in Native American history from the late 15th century to the late 20th century. More-recent events are considered in the final part of this article, Developments in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. North America and Europe circa 1492 The population of Native America
