Kris Lane’s Potosí: The Silver City that Changed the World

Extra credit

Reading Questions for Lane 117-196

Instructions

Read Kris Lane’s Potosí: The Silver City that Changed the World (through p. 196) 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.

Questions

1. What were some of the major factors that led to Potosí’s decline as a major producer of silver? How did reformers attempt to fix these problems?

2. Broadly, what are the major takeaways/lessons you think Kris Lane is trying to draw from the history of Potosí?