The Ancient Journey and Civilizations of Native Americans Native Americans, the indigenous people of the U.S., migrated from Siberia to Alaska via the Bering Land Bridge tens of thousands of years ago. They developed diverse languages and civilizations, utilizing natural resources for agriculture and hunting. Notable achievements included mound building across North America, with cities rivaling those in Europe at that time. The arrival of Europeans post-1492 led to a drastic decline in Native populations due to diseases brought by explorers.
Colonial Conflicts and Struggles for Rights European colonization intensified conflicts over land as settlers sought new farming opportunities after the American Revolution. Initial policies aimed at purchasing lands evolved into forced relocations under President Andrew Jackson's Indian Removal Act, leading to tragic events like the Trail of Tears. Despite gaining citizenship through acts such as Woodrow Wilson’s 1919 legislation and Calvin Coolidge’s 1924 Indian Citizenship Act, many Native Americans still faced discrimination when voting or participating politically today; issues regarding tribal sovereignty persist.