<P> The European colonization of the Americas describes the history of the settlement and establishment of control of the continents of the Americas by various European powers . Starting in either the 10th or 11th century , when West Norse sailors explored and briefly settled on the shores of present - day Canada , according to Icelandic Sagas , violent conflicts with the indigenous population ultimately led to the Norse abandoning those settlements . </P>
<P> The European colonization of the Americas describes the history of the settlement and establishment of control of the continents of the Americas by various European powers . Starting in either the 10th or 11th century , when West Norse sailors explored and briefly settled on the shores of present - day Canada , according to Icelandic Sagas , violent conflicts with the indigenous population ultimately led to the Norse abandoning those settlements . </P>
when did the first european settlers came to america
when did the first european settlers came to america
either the 10th or 11th century
either the 10th or 11th century