Final answer:
The Spanish initially settled the territories west of the Mississippi River in the early colonization period.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer is C. The Spanish. The Spanish were the earliest Europeans to establish a permanent settlement in North America. They controlled the territory in the southern edge of what is now the United States and had a significant impact on American culture in that region. The Spanish also explored and settled other parts of the Americas, including Central and South America.