Final answer:
Bartolomé de las Casas compares the brutal treatment of Native Americans by the Spanish to 'ravening wolves,' which illustrates a contradiction between European civility and the colonial reality. This comparison helps advocate for reforms like the New Laws of 1542, and it feeds into the 'black legend' about Spanish cruelty.
Step-by-step explanation:
Bartolomé de las Casas's comparison of Magua with Europe in his criticism of the Spanish colonial system serves to illustrate the violent and oppressive treatment Native Americans faced at the hands of Spanish colonizers. He describes the Spanish as ravening wolves who 'tear the natives to shreds, murder them and inflict upon them untold misery.'
The effect of this comparison is to push for empathy and reform from the Spanish crown, ultimately leading to the implementation of the New Laws of 1542, intended to end the encomienda system, although they faced strong opposition in the Americas.