History of Colonial Latin America

Questions on Restall, Seven Myths of the Spanish Conquest
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 colonial 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 Myth of the Round Earth, Myth of the White Conquistadors, Myth of the King’s Soldiers, and the Myth of Completion and give specifics about why these were so tenacious.

3. According to Restall, what were the real reasons the Spanish were able to conquer Latin America? Compare and contrast these to the mythical reasons, specifically the Myth of the White Conquistadors, Myth of the King’s Soldiers, and the Myth of Exceptional Men. Why were these real reasons not enough to eclipse these myths?

4. Compare and contrast Restall’s myth-busting with Mann’s myth-busting. How do the two books contradict each other? How do they reinforce each other? Give specifics.