Early American history refers to the period from the arrival of the first Indigenous peoples to the establishment of the United States in the late 18th century. Indigenous groups, such as the Iroquois and Sioux, inhabited the land for thousands of years before European explorers, like Christopher Columbus in 1492, began to arrive. These encounters led to significant cultural exchanges and conflicts. In the 1600s, European settlers established colonies, including Jamestown in Virginia and Plymouth in Massachusetts. Tensions grew between colonists and Indigenous peoples, as well as among European powers. The American Revolution (1775-1783) ultimately resulted in independence from Great Britain and the formation of a new nation.