ISBN:
0520973631
,
9780520973633
Language:
English
Pages:
1 Online-Ressource (xviii, 248 pages)
,
illustrations, maps
Series Statement:
The California world history library 27
Parallel Title:
Erscheint auch als Lane, Kris E., 1967 - Potosí
DDC:
984.14
Keywords:
Silver mines and mining History
;
HISTORY ; Latin America ; South America
;
HISTORY ; World
;
Silver mines and mining
;
History
;
Bolivia ; Potosí
;
Electronic books
;
Electronic books
Abstract:
"In 1545, a native Andean prospector hit pay dirt on a desolate red mountain in highland Bolivia. There followed the world's greatest silver bonanza, making the Cerro Rico or "Rich Hill" and the Imperial Villa of Potosí instant legends, famous from Istanbul to Beijing. The Cerro Rico alone provided over half of the world's silver for a century, and even in decline, it remained the single richest source on earth. Potosí is the first interpretive history of the fabled mining city's rise and fall. It tells the story of global economic transformation and the environmental and social impact of rampant colonial exploitation from Potosí's startling emergence in the 16th century to its collapse in the 19th. Throughout, Kris Lane's invigorating narrative offers rare details of this thriving city and its promise of prosperity. A new world of native workers, market women, African slaves, and other ordinary residents who lived alongside the elite merchants, refinery owners, wealthy widows, and crown officials, emerge in lively, riveting stories from the original sources. An engrossing depiction of excess and devastation, Potosí reveals the relentless human tradition in boom times and bust."--Provided by publisher
Abstract:
Bonanza -- Age of wind, age of iron -- The viceroy's great machine -- An improbable global city -- Secret judgments of God -- Decadence and rebirth -- From revival to revolution -- Conclusion -- Epilogue : Potosí after independence -- Appendix A -- Appendix B : some questions to consider
Note:
Includes bibliographical references (pages 233-242) and index
URL:
http://purl.org/coar/access_right/c_16ec
URL:
http://purl.org/coar/access_right/c_16ec
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