Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?

Answers from the USCIS list

Give one of these answers.

• Easy answer to learnNative Americans
• American Indians

Our explanation

Native Americans, also called American Indians, lived in North and South America for about 20,000 years before Europeans came. There were many tribes (groups). Each had its own culture, language, and government.

Remember it

They were here first: Native Americans, also called American Indians.

Source

USCIS 2025 Study Guide (M-1175) pp. 43, 55. Quote: “The people living in the Americas before the Europeans arrived are called Native Americans.” (p. 43) “Native Americans are also called American Indians.” (p. 55)

• 128 Civics Questions and Answers (2025 version), M-1778 (09/25) (PDF, USCIS)

Last checked on September 29, 2026.

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Easy to mix up with

• 75What group of people was taken and sold as slaves?
• 117Name one American Indian tribe in the United States.