Current events in America have blasted immigration into our headlines. There is violent disagreement about the role immigrants should play in our nation. To understand immigration today, we really need to go back in time and learn more about how and when humans first populated North America. It's not quite as straightforward as you may have learned in school.
Most of us studied the history of Colonial America and European settlements. The outlines of that story are familiar, and in some ways comforting to those who are descendants of those settlers. But America is home to descendants of multiple races and sects. To appreciate the "melting pot" label we've accepted for years, we need to understand more about immigration over the centuries.
These pages aren't a "History of America" lecture. Instead, I'll depend on links to authoritative sources that you can explore in any order you choose. I'll include my comments and ideas, but it's your responsibility to do a little reading and research. If you want to learn, you'll need to put forth a little effort. I think you'll find the time enjoyable, enlightening and rewarding. The North American continent has a rich and varied history. Ready? Read on.
Let's start with a bit of an overview. There's a link at the bottom of this paragraph. You may get lost in the link. I know I did! The link opens in a new tab, and it takes you to many pages you can explore any way you choose. If you get lost, come back when you're ready and we'll do more exploring. Click this link and take a little tour through a brief history of the North American continent. Human Settlement in North America.
If you followed that link, you got an overview of human settlement of North America. Maybe you also took some time to look into neighboring Central America and the Caribbean. Did you spend more time than you intended to? Don't worry. There's plenty more to explore, and you can do it in small bites if you want. History isn't going anywhere.
Before recorded history, there were human inhabitants of the North American Continent. Most schools don't delve deeply into our ancient past when they offer a history course. If you want to learn about those prehistoric times you'd typically need to sign up for specialized courses that go those periods in more detail.
Fortunately for us, the Internet gives us the ability to explore and learn on our own time. For information on the earliest known humans to inhabit North America, here's a sampling of what you can find: When did humans first arrive in the Americas?
Did that sample pique your interest? If you're curious, as I am, then you might want to know more. If so, here's another little tidbit for you: Smith College
If you've followed both the links and done a little reading, maybe you've figured out something important: The science is still being studied, and updates happen when new discoveries are made. What a concept! We don't know everything! But how fun is it to learn?
The point I'm making is this: Regardless of what we know, or what we've yet to discover, we do have a little knowledge about the early inhabitants of our country. Let me offer one final link in this little adventure of discovery and then we'll move on. Here's something you may already know a little about: First Indigenous Americans