Treaty of Tordesillas

Definition

The Treaty of Tordesillas was an agreement made in 1494 between Spain and Portugal that divided newly discovered lands outside Europe along a meridian 370 leagues west of the Cape Verde islands. This treaty aimed to resolve conflicts over newly explored territories, particularly in the Americas, and significantly influenced European colonization efforts by establishing spheres of influence for both nations.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The treaty was negotiated by Pope Alexander VI, who sought to maintain peace between the two emerging maritime powers during a time of intense exploration.
2. The initial agreement was later revised in 1506, adjusting the line further west to account for Portugal's discoveries along the coast of Brazil.
3. The Treaty of Tordesillas had a profound impact on the distribution of land and resources in the Americas, leading to significant territorial claims by both Spain and Portugal.
4. Despite the treaty, other European powers, like England and France, ignored it, leading to conflicts and competing claims in the New World.
5. The treaty helped establish a precedent for future international agreements regarding exploration and colonization, influencing European relations for centuries.

Review Questions

• How did the Treaty of Tordesillas affect the relationships between Spain and Portugal during the Age of Exploration?
  • The Treaty of Tordesillas was crucial in shaping the diplomatic relations between Spain and Portugal as it established clear boundaries for their exploration efforts. By dividing newly discovered lands, both countries aimed to avoid conflict over territorial claims. This agreement allowed them to focus on expanding their empires without immediate fear of competition from one another, though it also prompted other European nations to challenge this division.
• Evaluate the implications of the Treaty of Tordesillas on future European exploration and colonization efforts beyond Spain and Portugal.
  • The Treaty of Tordesillas set a significant precedent for international law regarding territorial claims in newly discovered lands. Although Spain and Portugal were the primary beneficiaries, it created tensions with other European powers like England, France, and the Netherlands. These countries often disregarded the treaty, which led to further competition for colonies and resources, thereby shaping global dynamics during subsequent centuries of exploration.
• Synthesize how the Treaty of Tordesillas exemplifies the intersection between religion, politics, and exploration in early modern Europe.
  • The Treaty of Tordesillas is a prime example of how religion intertwined with political ambitions during early modern Europe. Negotiated under papal authority, it reflects how religious institutions sought to mediate conflicts arising from territorial expansion. This agreement highlights not only political maneuvering between Spain and Portugal but also illustrates how faith played a role in legitimizing colonial aspirations, influencing global power structures well into the future.

Related terms

Line of Demarcation: The boundary established by the Treaty of Tordesillas that divided the non-European world into Spanish and Portuguese spheres of influence.

Age of Exploration:

A period from the late 15th century to the early 17th century marked by European global exploration, leading to the discovery of new lands and sea routes.

Colonization:

The process by which a country establishes control over foreign territories, often involving settlement and exploitation of resources.