It is common to hear that Christopher Columbus "discovered" America. Yet many history textbooks no longer describe Columbus's exploration in this way. Why do you think that is the case? What might be a better way to describe what occurred in 1492?

Question

anonymous · Answer

I'm not sure how much you actually know about Christopher Columbus, but he wasn't the one who actually "discovered" America. The map maker Amerigo Vespucci knew America existed while creating his maps, hence the name America which was named after Amerigo whose name was actually Americus. Long before Columbus' expedition Native Americans "Indians" inhabited the land. Christopher Columbus sailed "the ocean blue" in search of fame and fortune because he had heard from others the world was round. He figured if he proved this theory, his name would go down in history. When Columbus landed in America, he actually had no idea where he was and thought he was in India, which is the reason he called the Native Americans, Indians. When Christopher Columbus died he still had no clue he was ever in America.

anonymous · Answer

I hope that helped or at least gave you an idea of what to write :)