Why are Americans Indians so called? Why aren't they Americans in the same way that people who come from India are Indians?
by 
April
ANSWERS: 4
-
to this i say the only appropriate term should be native american, b/c they each had individual tribes and were so-called ie., navajo, pawnee, blackfeet and crow too name a few. and contrary to popular belief, they are not from india, which is how they got the name indians.
-
That's a really good question. Maybe some historian can enlighten us.
-
It's my understanding that when Columbus landed in what is now the US, he thought that he had reached India instead. Consequently, he called the people already living here (Native Americans) Indians.
-
Columbus set off on an expedition to India, but instead bumped into America. Trying not to look stupid, he proclaimed all the inhabitants as "Indians". But really, they are the Indigenous (Native) Americans. Meanwhile... all the real Indians were going, Where the hell is he?! (Russell Peters joke)
RELATED QUESTIONS
Copyright 2023, Wired Ivy, LLC