Potosi
Topic:What was the significance and relevance of Potosi in the colonial society? Discuss the importance of Potosí as a mining center, large urban setting, and a land of opportunities for Europeans and Amerindians in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.
During the colonial period sixteenth and seventeenth centuries; Potosi was one of the most important and relevant regions in Latin America. Its importance was based on the great opportunities of mining, economic grow, land and jobs, etc that Potosí offered at the colonial time. Though the colonization process, Potosi became one of the largest cities in population and most important mining centers, creating at the same time a lot of jobs for Europeans, Amerindians and slaves producing merchandise to import to the old world. Potosi was created following the model of a traditional society of European customs. However, to understand Potosi's importance and relevance we must take a quick look to Potosi origins and history. Today, Potosi is completely different but its importance during the colonial time remains throughout history. The city of Potosí sits at an altitude of 4,090 meters above sea level, being the highest city in the world. The city is well-known for its cool weather and sometimes freezing rain. Potosi was founded 1546 at the foot of the hill . The city was born under the name of Villa Imperial de Carlos V, in honor of then Spanish king Carlos V. Its founder was Juan de Villarroal. Large-scale excavation began in the site immediately and the first shipment of silver was sent to Spain . Potosi was constructed following the Europeans models. The streets were called and divided like in Spain. At that time more than eighty six churches were built that means that in almost every corner there was a church and the city's population increased to nearly 200,000, making it one of the largest and wealthiest cities in Latin America and in the world. Probably around 1669 to 1672, many mints were established
During the colonial period sixteenth and seventeenth centuries; Potosi was one of the most important and relevant regions in Latin America. Its importance was based on the great opportunities of mining, economic grow, land and jobs, etc that Potosí offered at the colonial time. Though the colonization process, Potosi became one of the largest cities in population and most important mining centers, creating at the same time a lot of jobs for Europeans, Amerindians and slaves producing merchandise to import to the old world. Potosi was created following the model of a traditional society of European customs. However, to understand Potosi's importance and relevance we must take a quick look to Potosi origins and history. Today, Potosi is completely different but its importance during the colonial time remains throughout history. The city of Potosí sits at an altitude of 4,090 meters above sea level, being the highest city in the world. The city is well-known for its cool weather and sometimes freezing rain. Potosi was founded 1546 at the foot of the hill . The city was born under the name of Villa Imperial de Carlos V, in honor of then Spanish king Carlos V. Its founder was Juan de Villarroal. Large-scale excavation began in the site immediately and the first shipment of silver was sent to Spain . Potosi was constructed following the Europeans models. The streets were called and divided like in Spain. At that time more than eighty six churches were built that means that in almost every corner there was a church and the city's population increased to nearly 200,000, making it one of the largest and wealthiest cities in Latin America and in the world. Probably around 1669 to 1672, many mints were established
References: Peter Bakewell. Silver and Entrepreneurship in Seventeenth-Century Potosi Dallas: Southern Methodist University Press.1988. Benjamin Kenn, Keith Hayness. A history of Latin America Seventh Edition. New York: Houghton Mifflin Company. 2004. POTOSI 'S SILVER TEARS. "Potosi". http://www.unesco.org/courier/2000_03/uk/dici/txt1.htm(Accessed February 18th, 2007) Potosí. "Encyclopædia Britannica". Encyclopædia Britannica Online. http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9061050 (Accessed February, 15th 2007) Haciendas "Encyclopædia Britannica". Encyclopædia Britannica Online. http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9061007 (Accessed February, 18th 2007)