Depends how you define betterment. I'd say putting society under global capitalism was worse for society (especially native tribes, but everyone I'd argue).
Colonialism predated global capitalism, and there's always been various forms of trade routes and wars over the course of civilization, and likely going back far before then. Global capitalism has raised the standard of living over the past century.
Somehow people miss the fact that the difference and power to effect change resides in the context, not with violence itself.
The list of failed revolutions that left everyone worse off is far longer the the list of revolutions that resulted in the betterment of society.