Christopher Columbus called the native people he encountered on his voyages "Indians" because
A)he believed they came from the East Indies in the Pacific.
B)it is what the natives called themselves.
C)he mispronounced their actual name.
D)Norse seamen had first used the term.
E)he wanted to hide his discovery from rival explorers.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Columbus believed he had reached the East Indies in the Pacific, so he called the native people he encountered "Indians," assuming he had reached the region of Asia known as the Indies.

Christopher Columbus Called the Native People He Encountered on His