History of Colonial Latin America

Directions:  As you consider these potential test questions, remember that in answering all of them you should also be answering the question, “How does Restall’s book change the way we think about Latin American history?”

 1.      In his discussion of myths, Restall often ends up writing not about what happened but about the texts [letters, reports, books] that were written about these events. Why and how were these so important in establishing myths? Give specifics.

2.      Why did certain myths stick? Consider the Round Earth, Myth of the White Conquistadors, Myth of the Kings Soldiers, and the Myth of Completion and give specifics.

3.      According to Restall, what were the real reasons the Spanish conquered Latin America? Why were these ‘real reasons’ not enough to eclipse the stories he describes as myths?

4.      How does Restall’s myth busting fit with Mann’s myth-busting? Do the two books contradict each other? Do they reinforce each other? Give specifics.