When Native communities cooperated, the Spanish could obtain food, guides, information, and sometimes labor.

When communities resisted, the Spanish could respond with violence.

The expedition therefore operated through a mixture of diplomacy, intimidation, hostage-taking, forced labor, and armed confrontation.

The Native leaders they encountered had to make their own calculations.

Should they cooperate?

Should they resist?

Could they redirect the Spanish somewhere else?

Could they use the newcomers against a rival?