Treaty of Tordesillas

Definition

The Treaty of Tordesillas, signed in 1494, was an agreement between Spain and Portugal to divide the newly discovered lands outside Europe. This line of demarcation was about halfway between the Cape Verde islands (already Portuguese) and the islands discovered by Christopher Columbus on his first voyage (claimed for Spain).

Historical Context

The Treaty of Tordesillas was signed in 1494, following the return of Christopher Columbus from his first voyage to the Americas. This was during a period of intense maritime exploration and competition between Spain and Portugal, the two leading seafaring nations of the time. The treaty was brokered by Pope Alexander VI, with the intent to resolve disputes over newly discovered lands and avoid conflict between these Catholic monarchies.

Historical Significance

The Treaty of Tordesillas had a profound impact on colonial expansion and global politics. It divided the non-European world into Spanish and Portuguese spheres of influence, granting Portugal control over its routes around Africa to India and giving Spain claim to most of the Americas. This division shaped colonization patterns for centuries, influenced cultural and linguistic boundaries in the New World, and set a precedent for European powers to partition territories without consulting indigenous populations.

Related terms

Line of Demarcation: A boundary marking something off from something else. In this context, it refers to Pope Alexander VI's decision to draw a north-to-south line dividing South America into regions controlled by Spain and Portugal.

Age of Discovery: The period in history starting in the late 15th century and continuing into the 18th century during which Europeans explored Africa, Americas, Asia and Oceania.

Christopher Columbus: An Italian explorer who completed four voyages across the Atlantic Ocean, opening permanent European contact with Americas.