sh to encounters with particular Indian tribes, particularly in the American South, but in all cases, the pre-contact context set up a situation for misunderstanding in which the European was seen, and saw himself, as the superior and stronger being. The Spanish and the English were equally willing to exploit every advantage, real or imagined, for their own gain, and the Indians were immediately at a disadvantage because of their fear of the white European with his ships and guns. The stage was set for domination by the white European over the Indian. If the white European could achieve this domination without violence, with trickery and connivance, he was more than willing to do so. If, however, the Indian resisted, the white European was, in most cases, equally willing to use whatever violence was necessary to get what he wanted for himself, regardless of the effect such action would have on the Indians.
Wright argues that the Spanish influence on the Indians has been underestimated: "Throughout the sixteenth century Spain, not England or France, was the most activ
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