Final answer:
The Natives viewed the Spanish as brutal exploiters and religious imposers, leading to the severe reduction of native populations through forced labor, imposition of Catholicism, and the introduction of European diseases. This image was reinforced by the 'Black Legend', which highlighted Spanish cruelty and was used by other European powers to justify their colonial ambitions. Despite resistance, Native Americans suffered greatly under Spanish rule.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Natives came to characterize the Spanish conquerors as ruthless exploiters and religious imposers, which was a consequence of the Spaniards' belief in their right to take control of the land and its people and to convert the Natives to Catholicism. In practice, the Spanish engaged in cruel behaviors, treating the Native Americans as beasts of burden and forcing them to abandon their ancient belief systems for Catholicism. The Spanish desire for gold, silver, and authoritarian patriarchal social structures further drove their brutal treatment of Indigenous peoples. This exploitation and the subsequent disease epidemics decimated native populations.
These attitudes and actions led to the development of the so-called 'Black Legend', which emphasized the Spanish's perceived savagery. Interestingly, European rivals like the English used this concept to demonize the Spanish and position themselves as more humane colonizers, despite their own exploitative behaviors. Such accounts were reinforced by the horrific descriptions provided by writers like Las Casas, who, while critical of Spanish abuses, also held paternalistic views towards the Native Americans.
From the indigenous perspective, the Spanish were seen as invaders, bringing destruction and cruelty. Descriptions by natives, such as the Aztec account of the Spaniards' ruthlessness, starkly contrasted with Spanish reports of a more benevolent conquest. While the natives did resist, they also suffered catastrophic losses due to warfare and European diseases, leading to a devastated population that could not afford to challenge Spanish dominance effectively.