Why are native Americans called Indians or red Indians?

Answer 1

Because it's all down to an ancient mistake. When Cristopher Columbus set out his intention was to find another route to India - Another Country, another continent entirely. Then he stumbled upon America instead. But he was so convinced that he'd reached India that he called the natives "Indians" - which they are not - and the name stuck.

On top of that the native Americans aren't one homogenous group, they're a fair number of different tribes, with some fairly large cultural differences between them. Lumping them all together ignores those differences, and deny them their right to part of their history.

Answer 2

Among the very first native Americans encountered by explorers were the Beothuk tribe of Newfoundland and Labrador, who made extensive use of local red pigment to paint their own hair, skin, clothes, homes, babies, the corpses of their dead, their weapons and tools - everything was painted red. The term "Red Indians" was therefore logically and sensibly applied to them and later extended to all natives in North America.

Answer 3

The term "Indian" originated from Christopher Columbus mistakenly believing he had reached the East Indies when he landed in the Americas in 1492. The term "red Indians" likely comes from the reddish-brown skin tone of some Native American tribes. However, both terms are considered inaccurate and potentially offensive today, as they are based on misconceptions and stereotypes. It is more respectful and accurate to refer to these indigenous peoples by their specific tribal names or as Native Americans.

Answer 4

The term "Indian" for Native Americans comes from a historical mistake. When Christopher Columbus arrived in the Americas in 1492, he believed he had reached the Indies (a term used for South and Southeast Asia, including India). Because of this misconception, he called the Indigenous people "Indians." The name stuck, even after it became clear that the land was not part of Asia.

As for "Red Indians," this was a term used by European settlers to describe Native Americans, possibly due to their skin tone or the use of red ochre paint in some tribal customs. However, this term is now considered outdated and offensive. Today, the preferred terms are Native Americans, Indigenous Peoples, or specific tribal names.

Answer 5

"Red Indian" is cosidered to be both racist and inaccurate. First of all, referring to their skin color as "red" is equivalent to calling Africans "black," or Asians "yellow." Second, the term "indian" is a misnomer attached by the first explorers to the Western Hemisphere, who though they had reached the country of India. Nevertheless, most native Americans do no mind being called "Indians," much like most African-Americans do not mind being called "black." But it is polite to avoid these terms unless you know the person well.

Answer 6

Because when the American Continent was discovered they though it was India! They called them Indians and the name stuck. Of course later they called the red Indians to distinguish them from India Indians. Native American is modern term (to be political correct) and not correct either since the American Indians came from Asia.

Some of my family has been in the US since before 1789. I think that make me a native American!

Answer 7

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Answer 8

Why are native Americans called Indians or red Indians?