This document provides an overview of the peopling and early history of North America from 33,000 BCE to 1769 CE. It describes how the North American landscape formed over time. It then discusses evidence that the first humans arrived in North America across the Bering land bridge from Siberia around 13,000 BCE. Subsequent sections summarize the major indigenous civilizations that developed, such as the Aztecs, Mayans, and Incas. The document also outlines the indirect discoveries of North America by Norse explorers and the major European explorations starting in the 15th century with Columbus' voyage. It concludes by describing the Spanish conquest of Mexico and the spread of the Spanish colonies across North America in the 16th-17