Question

Which of the following did fifteenth- and sixteenth-century European explorers find in the Americas?

many distinct native civilizations


small groups of roving nomads


evidence of earlier European colonies

Answer 1

many distinct native civilizations

Answer 2

The correct answer is many distinct native civilizataions.

When colonization began, European countries like Spain, France, Portugal, Great Britian etc. encountered indigenous people already living in the Americas. These indigenous people developed unique civilizations based on their geography and climate. For example, the Powhatan Confederacy near modern day Virignia was much different than the Pueblo of the American Southwest. The language, customs, and means of survival were very different due to their climate.