Why are native americans often referred to as "Indians"?

Answer 1

When Columbus went on his voyage to Hispanola, he thought he landed in India.

Columbus hit Hispanola (Now Hati and Republica Dominica), not the Mainland USA

Answer 2

American Indians are so called because the Europeans who first came to the Americas thought that they were in the Indies. As of late, the Political Correctness Nazis have decided to refer to American Indians as Native Americans. The problem is, anyone born in the US is a native American. To be technically correct, American Indians should be called Aboriginal Americans, or American Aboriginals.

But let's stop all the political correctness. They have been American Indians for centuries. That name works.

As an aside, have you noticed the Political Correctness Nazis now have decided that the letters BC after the date (referring to before Christ) should now be replaced by BCE. Also, the letters AD (Anno Domini-in the year of our Lord), should be replaced by CE. Who the hell do these people think they are?

Answer 3

Columbus thought he had sailed to India, so he called the natives Indians, naturally. The name has obviously stuck, even though their proper label (generally considered politically correct) is "native american."

According to wikipedia.org:
Native Americans are the indigenous peoples within the territory that is now encompassed by the continental United States, including parts of Alaska down to their descendants in modern times. They comprise a large number of distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which are still enduring as political communities. There is some controversy surrounding the names used to describe these peoples: they are also known as American Indians, Indians, Amerindians, Amerinds, or Indigenous, Aboriginal or Original Americans. In Canada they are known as First Nations.

I hope this helps!

Answer 4

Because, Christopher Columbus was seeking funds for his explorations with the ideology that he was finding another route to India. The individuals encountered on the landing on his first exploration, were thought to be a subculture on the outside islands of the subcontinent, now known as present day India; therefore, the population became "Indians".

I reviewed the other answers submitted. What is "Spell Check" for? Look at what you are submitting people! I'm amazed you can use a computer!

Answer 5

The community people have been called Indians because of the fact that the Christopher Columbus suggestion he had reached India. So i think you could refer to them as Indian whenever you prefer, basically ensure persons comprehend which Indians you're speaking approximately. In some languages there are 2 staggering words for Indian Indians and local American Indians. I advise they are particularly an comparable whether basically the pronunciation is particularly particular.

Answer 6

The Columbus deal, like most have said here.

I have been to several different Indian Nations in Oklahoma, the 4 Corner area, and worked with the Houma Indians in Louisiana, and the people I met referred to themselves as Indians. In my experience it is usually the people from the larger cities that refer to themselves as Native Americans.

Answer 7

Because Chris Columbus sailed west rather than around Cape whatever, Africa. He planned to said around the world to get to Asia. When he hit the American contenent he thought he was in India, hence, the West Indies. So they called the indigious people indians. I wasn't till later they realize that this was a whole other contenent.

Answer 8

...let me guess, you have never been in a grade school history room have you? well, then, ole gopherhead, sit back and be prepared to laugh and learn.........as ole christopher was doing his giddy up and go around the ocean, he came upon this little island, i think it was San Salvador or something like that, heck he may have even stumbled upon that island called america, but at that time it wasn't called that, it was called the new world..........anyway.......he was looking for a new route to INDIA, unfortunate for him he could not stop and ask for directions, for if he had known he was going the wrong way, {now as we all know ole chris was going west because he thought there may be a shorter route that way } he would not have gotten to where he was......now back to what i was trying to point out, he was looking for a better route to INDIA. so he, being a guy and not wanting to admit he took a wrong turn in alabama, he landed on that thar itty bitty island called SAN Salvador, and called them indians, thinking he had ventured upon INDIA........and the name stuck, and so every person that was not of the european nations, they were known simply as.....indians. humor can go a long way in teaching someone who is not sure, and it has worked. for you will laugh and you will learn......thank you for the ability to teach you.....oh and he was from italy, not spain...he was in a shipwreck that actually landed him in portugal, and then he ventured into spain....got more than you asked for didn't ya?....kt

Answer 9

When Christopher Columbus dicovered America he thought he had arrived in India he then name the natives Indians because he thought that was there nationality.

Answer 10

Columbus made a mistake. Even though its known now, I find it odd why they refer them self as an Indian when they aren't.

I was born in India so I just find it odd. I call them Native Americans.

Answer 11

i am native america....cherokee to be more specific and i used to hate it when people would say indian...but idc anymore. it has something to do with the discoverers landing here and thinking they were in India..thus indians...and the label has just been carried on. however theres the "proper" term of native american...b/c these "indians" WERE the NATIVE americans. get it?