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What statement BEST explains why the native Americans were called Indians?
Wiki User
∙ 8y ago
Columbus was looking for a route to Asia for the purpose of garnering their vast trove of spices. The closest way to Asia was the eastern route, but that was heavily guarded by the Ottoman empire, so he went west (not to see if the world was round, that was proven a long time ago). Instead, he stumbled upon the shores of America quite by accident. He thought, however, he had arrived in India. Unaware of his mistake, he referred to the locals as "Indians" (in his language, Spanish: los Indios) and the label was repeated so often as to become common. It did not help that there were thousands of "Indian" tribes, each known by a different tribal name; e.g., Hurons, Crows, Algonquins, Lakota, Dakota, Fox, Mohicans, etc. Unlike "Spaniards, Germans, French, there wasn't (and still isn't, one name to identify the race mistakenly called "Indians." Even those locals who understood the question were only able to answer the question broadly as "first man" or First Americans" in their own language. If an outsider like Columbus asked a Lakota, for example, what his "race" was called, the answer might be "Tyospaye"--the Lakota word for man/friend. Whereas, if the question were asked of a member of a Michigan tribe such as the Chippewa or Odawa, the same answer would be "Anishanobe" which means first or original (person).
Despite this, people still refer to Native Americans as Indians, even though we've now known for centuries that Columbus made a mistake and that Indians are really on the other side of the world. However doing so may be offensive to both real Indians and Native Americans since it was all a mistake that should be fixed.
This next is to clear up another misnomer: Used to be common to hear the term "Amazonians" meaning a race of wild, uncivilized women of tall stature, half-naked, running around in the Amazon jungle. Turns out to be another mistake. I think that, too, was made by Columbus, but not sure. Turns out those wild women were actually Native Men, bare-chested, and long-haired. The mistake was made mainly based on the length of hair. Guess white men, back then, didn't wear their hair long and free. --Marty
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∙ 8y ago
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Why did Columbus call the native Americans Indians?
He called them Indians because he believed he was in India. At that time no one knew America existed and he was trying to find a faster way to Asia But, since America was the land he ran into instead of Asia he called the people Indians so it was a simple mistake.
Why are Native Americans variously called American Indians?
Personal preference, really. Depending upon which tribe you are from or your political views, you might prefer Indians, Native Americans or American Indians. It really doesnt make a whole lot of difference.
Are Native Americans and Indians the same thing?
No, Native Americans are from tribes like the Cherokees and other tribes. They originated in America. Indians are from the country India, and are a whole other group of people from the Native Americans. The reason why Native Americans are sometimes referred to as Indians is because, when Christopher Columbus was sailing to India, he accidentally ended up in North America where he called all the Native Americans, Indians.
Who were the white stick creek Indians?
IMPORTANT BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Well, first of all, William Weatherford or "Red Eagle", was the leader of the Creek Indians. His warriors were called the Red Sticks which were loyal to him and fought the white settlers a.k.a. Europeans and Americans (they were called white settlers, its nothing racist) to keep their land. ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION: The White Sticks were Creek Indians that were loyal to the British and Americans and also helped them defeat the Red sticks, kick them out, and give land to Americans which is today's Alabama,Oklahoma,Georgia and Tennessee
What are Amerindians often called today?
The American Indians now are more correctly called, "American aboriginals" or "American natives".
A statement that explains observations and can be tested is called?
hypothesis
What is a statement called that explains how variables affect each other called?
hypothesis.
What is a testable statement that explains a series of observation called?
hypothesis
What did the Europeans called the Americans?
Indians
A scientific statement that summarizes experimental data is called a what?
A statement that explains an observation and is supported by data is a
An introductory sentence that explains the main point of an essay is called?
thesis statement
Why Native American do not want to be called Indians?
because Indians are people from India and it is completely different from native american
What was native Americans called before they were called native Americans?
Native Americans called themselves by their tribe (i.e. Cherokee, Powatan, Lakota, etc.) When Christopher Columbus arrived, he erroneously believed he was in the Indies, so he declared them "Indians".
What did the Indians call Niagara Falls?
The Native Americans (Indians) called Niagara Falls the Thunder Of Water.
When did the church decide that Indians had souls?
It was determined by the Roman Catholic Church that Native Americans had souls on June 2, 1537. The statement was called Sublimus Dei in the form of a papal bull by Pope Paul III.
Who are the Indians of the west?
The Indians of the West (West Indians) are simply Native Americans, or called Amerindians (American Indians). Colombus arrived in the Caribbean and thought he was in India. He called this place the West Indies and the people West Indians. Hope this helped!~
Why doesn't native Americans do not want to be called Indians?
because Indians are people from India and it is completely different from native american
