The history of the conquest and colonization of the Americas is very complex. The social, economic, and political issues and circumstances that took place many years ago are the foundation of what America is today. Most Americans do not realize how many people have been affected by immigration, nor do they understand the real struggles and sacrifices that indigenous people and settlers made for the freedoms we have today. During these historical events, many cultural, social and economic events were influenced. Historical Contributions or Achievements The first American inhabitants are believed to have migrated from Asia approximately 18,000 years ago. Many societies were built and civilizations were formed by the Aztec, Olmec, Maya, Teotihuacan, Mixtec, Zapotec and Toltec peoples in the territories of Mexico. These people were very organized and skilled in agriculture, astronomy, mathematics, architecture and art. The Aztec Empire was one of the most powerful empires before being conquered by Spanish explorers in the 1500s (Englekirk & Marín, 2011). Also in the late 1500s, the Spanish arrived in Florida, founding the first permanent colony in San Agustin, Florida. The Spanish also explored areas of the Carolinas, Georgia, and Virginia. Santa Fe, New Mexico was founded in 1605, the Spanish purchased Greater Louisiana from the French in 1763. San Diego was also founded in 1749 in the Alta California settlement. In the early 1800s, American immigrants settled in the territory we call Texas. In 1821 Mexico gained independence from Spain. Shortly thereafter, American settlers were offered land to raise cattle. In 1845, Texas joined the United States following the Texas Revolution, but in 1846, ... middle of paper ... icans still do not accept others because of their race, color, or religion. , etc. However, when America goes to war against other countries, or when a tragedy occurs, the people unite as one nation and become the proud "United States of America".Works CitedCarter, PM (2005). You speak American. From sea to shining sea. American varieties. Spanglese. United States. PBS. PBS: Public Broadcasting Service. Retrieved September 6, 2011, from http://www.pbs.org/speak/seatosea/americanvarieties/spanglish/usa/Englekirk, A., & Marín, M. (2011). Mexican Americans - History. Countries and their cultures. Retrieved September 6, 2011, from http://www.everyculture.com/multi/Le-Pa/Mexican-Americans.htmlNoriega, CA (2010). The Chicano Studies Reader: An Aztlán Anthology, 1970-2010 (Second ed.). Los Angeles: UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center Publications.