How was labor and production organized in the mines of Potosí?
Read Kris Lane’s Potosí: The Silver City that Changed the World (through p. 116) then complete these reading questions as a word document and submit it to blackboard. This assignment may be turned in at any time during Section II, but should be turned in by the end of Section II (4/1)
Guidelines
In a reading questions assignment, you read and respond to a specific prompt or prompts on assigned reading material. Responses are expected to articulate clear arguments that are supported with specific evidence from the material you have read. A vague response or a thesis that restates the prompt is not effective, avoid this. Be bold, take a stand. All responses should be approximately 2 typed, double-spaced pages. In your responses, you may also use the textbook and notes from lecture where relevant (all readings should be cited). All quotations must be cited.
Remember, all work that is not your own must be cited. All quotations must be cited. Whether from the documents or from somebody else, be sure to follow an approved citation method (parenthetical or footnotes). For exact citation formatting, see the Chicago Manual of Style or Kate L. Turabian, ed. A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations. Unacceptable documentation of sources means that the essay will not be graded. No outside sources are permitted on these assignments without instructor approval. Obviously, any essay must be spell checked and proofread. Form, style and content as well as logic and reasoning will all contribute to the assessment of the essay. PLEASE DO NOT COPY/PASTE THESE GUIDELINES INTO YOUR PAPER.
Questions
1. How was labor and production organized in the mines of Potosí? How does Lane revise previous histories of mining in Potosí? How did silver production merge European and Andean technologies?
2. Describe the urban history of Potosí. What enterprises, practices, and diversions (aside from silver) proliferated in this city? How would you describe the demographics of its population?