@Redmayne,
What we don't need more of is vast generalizations about different nationalities.
As for the "ruthless" behavior of colonizers, ask the Afrikaners about the English in South Africa, or ask the Irish about the English in Ireland, or the Africans in the German colonies in Africa, who had the worst reputation of all. Or how about the Belgians in the Congo? Let's not forget the Native Americans at the hands of the British settlers either. If you're going to go all the way back in history for examples, look at the Romans in Gaul. How about the Huns? Some men are thrilled to think they might be descended from men from the steppes who slaughtered all the local European men. Shall I go on?
"Colonizers" were ruthless, people in power were and are ruthless, or people trying to get power. Look at the Hutu/Tutsi conflict. Look at what the Mao regime and the Russian Communists did to their own people.
I find all this selective outrage dishonest. Stop trying to score points against Spaniards.