why were the indians (in cowboy and indian films) called indians if they lived in america?

[christy053]

why were the indians (in cowboy and indian films) called indians if they lived in america?

[Big Al1st]

Whether this is true or not I dunno

North American Indians are the people whose ancestors were living in North America when the Europeans discovered the Western Hemisphere. They often are called red men, or redskins, and they were named Indians because Columbus thought that he had reached the East Indies in his voyage across the Atlantic.

[dot.hawkes]

in most cowboy films they were called injuns

[christy053]

cool thanks all of you that answers my question :-D