Columbus called the native people in the "New World" Indians because
A) that was what they called themselves.
B) he believed that he had skirted the rim of the "Indies."
C) it was a form of the Spanish word for heathen.
D) the Vikings had first called them by that name.
E) the Spanish often used this generic word, which meant "outsider" or "non-Spanish."

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Columbus called the native people "Indians" because he mistakenly believed he had reached the Indies (Asia), which was his intended destination.

Columbus Called the Native People in the "New World" Indians