One thing to remember is that the slaughter was not wholly one sided. The carib indians for example were known to be cannibals, reputedly attacked Spanish settlements (supposedly for the purposes of consumption) before they themselves were conquered and enslaved.<p>Cortez only managed to conquer Mexico by getting caught up in the wars which were already being waged. The Massacre at Cholula, (depending on whose account you believe) was either instigated by the Tlaxcalans or the Aztecs.<p>In addition, while many native tribes were complicit in the subjugation of their neighbors, the most consistent defense of the human rights of the natives come from religious missionaries who did everything in their power to protect the natives.<p>In the end, there were 'good guys' and 'bad guys' on both sides and you can't judge Europeans as evil based on this. The truth is just more complicated.