I believe the conquistadors were aware of the damage they were inflicting. Deep down they had to have felt guilty in some way, especially if they felt the need to recite the requiermiento before conquering a native establishment. There were very few reasons for conquistadors to justify their presence in the southwest other than for wealth or glory. Coronado's whole expedition point was to search and confirm the riches that laid in the seven cities of Cibola. Coronado wanted to make his own wealth. what a better way to search for Cibola, the city that should be full of riches, and conquer it. Caldera was different from the others in the methodology he used. Instead of brutal force he used different tactics such as gift giving etc. At the time,
