The Treaty of Tordesillas was an agreement signed by Spain and Portugal in 1494 that divided the non-European world into two zones of influence for colonial expansion. Negotiated under the mediation of the Catholic Church, it aimed to resolve disputes over newly discovered lands after Christopher Columbus's first voyage to the Americas.
The Treaty of Tordesillas
Spain and Portugal both sought control over newly discovered lands after Columbus’s voyage.
To avoid conflict, they asked Pope Alexander VI to mediate. He drew an imaginary line dividing the non-European world between the two powers.
The Treaty of Tordesillas (1494) moved this line further west.
Spain received rights to territories west of the line (most of the Americas).
Portugal received territories east of the line (Africa, Asia, and Brazil).
This agreement gave Portugal claim to Brazil when it was discovered in 1500.
Conflicting Land Claims
Other European powers (France, England, and the Netherlands) rejected the Treaty because they had not been included in it.
France, led by Jacques Cartier, explored the St. Lawrence River in the 1530s and began the fur trade in North America.
England, with voyages by John Cabot, claimed land in Newfoundland, challenging Spanish dominance.
The Dutch later entered the competition, establishing trade routes and privateering ventures across the Atlantic and Indian Oceans.
The Rise of Rivalries and Piracy
As Spain became wealthy from American silver and gold, rivals sought to share in that wealth.
English “sea dogs” such as Francis Drake attacked Spanish treasure ships and coastal settlements.
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What was the purpose of the Treaty of Tordesillas?
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Note
The Age of Exploration was a period from the 15th to 17th centuries when European powers embarked on global voyages to discover new trade routes and territories. This era was driven by a combination of economic, religious, and political motives.
The primary goal was to find new trade routes to Asia for valuable spices and goods
Religious motives included spreading Christianity to new lands
Political motives involved expanding empires and gaining prestige
Analogy
Think of the Age of Exploration as a global treasure hunt, where European powers were racing to find the most valuable 'treasures' - whether that be new trade routes, resources, or converts.
Note
The invention of new navigational tools like the astrolabe and improved maps played a crucial role in enabling these long-distance voyages.
