Final answer:
The conquistadors' self-perceived superiority and greed drove their exploitation of native peoples, leading to the establishment of an oppressive colonial regime characterized by forced labor and the imposition of Catholicism. Their attitudes resulted in severe mistreatment, resistance, and ultimately contributed to the so-called Black Legend, affecting the image of Spanish expeditions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The attitude of the conquistadors towards themselves and towards strangers greatly influenced the outcomes of the Spanish expeditions during the era of conquest in the Americas. Their views were characterized by a strong sense of entitlement and a paternalistic viewpoint towards the native populations. They saw themselves as superior and entitled to the lands and peoples they conquered due to their own perceived cultural and religious superiority. This sentiment was mirrored in their view of Indigenous peoples as servile or as mere beasts of burden, facilitating the imposition of systems like the encomienda that ruthlessly exploited native labor.
The conquistadors' ambition and avarice were the driving factors behind their relentless quest for wealth, which came in the form of gold, silver, and precious gems that fueled the economic might of Spain, aiding projects like the Spanish Armada. These attitudes helped to secure early victories and wealth for the Spaniards but also led to the brutal treatment of the Amerindians, imposition of Catholicism, and abuse under the encomienda system. Native populations resisted, leading to conflicts and prolonged resistance, affecting the stability and moral standing of the Spanish empire.
As Bartolomé de Las Casas noted, the treatment of natives by the Spaniards was often dehumanizing and brutal, supporting the emergence of the Black Legend, which portrayed the Spanish as particularly ruthless imperialists compared to their European rivals. This narrative aided other colonial powers in justifying their own endeavors as more humane, despite the generalized European disregard for native lives.