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First Contact in the Yucatan
- In 1517, Mayan villagers encountered Spanish conquistadors arriving by sea on the Yucatan Peninsula.
- The Mayans initially welcomed the Spanish, but cultural misunderstandings and disrespect led to conflict and the Spanish retreat.
Conquistador Identity
- Conquistadors were primarily settler colonists, not soldiers sent by the King.
- They were armed entrepreneurs investing in ventures, seeking settlement and riches, not just plunder.
Colonial Economy
- Gold and silver were highly valued by Europeans but scarce in many parts of the Americas.
- Conquistadors relied on indigenous labor and resources to build colonies and generate wealth.