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

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Columbus believed that he had reached the East Indies in the Pacific, so he called the native people he encountered "Indians" thinking they were from the East Indies.

Christopher Columbus Called the Native People He Encountered on His