Treaty of Tordesillas

Definition

The Treaty of Tordesillas was an agreement made in 1494 between Spain and Portugal that aimed to divide the newly discovered lands outside Europe between the two powers along a meridian 370 leagues west of the Cape Verde islands. This treaty was significant because it set the stage for the patterns of colonial expansion and competition in the Americas and beyond, establishing Portuguese and Spanish spheres of influence that would shape global trade and colonization efforts.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Treaty of Tordesillas was brokered by Pope Alexander VI to resolve disputes between Spain and Portugal over newly discovered lands.
2. The treaty's line was later determined to be approximately 46 degrees west longitude, which caused significant conflict with other European nations as they explored and claimed territories.
3. Portugal gained control over Brazil as a result of the treaty, while Spain secured most of the rest of South America, Central America, and much of North America.
4. The treaty effectively ignored existing indigenous populations and their rights to the lands they inhabited, leading to widespread colonization and cultural disruption.
5. While it initially settled disputes between Spain and Portugal, the treaty's implications eventually led to conflicts with other European powers, including France and England, who disregarded its terms.

Review Questions

• How did the Treaty of Tordesillas impact Spanish and Portuguese colonization efforts in the New World?
  • The Treaty of Tordesillas significantly impacted Spanish and Portuguese colonization by clearly defining their respective spheres of influence in newly discovered lands. Spain primarily focused on exploring and settling territories in the Americas, while Portugal concentrated on Africa and Asia. This division allowed both countries to pursue their colonial ambitions without direct interference from one another initially, leading to vast empires being established in different regions.
• Evaluate the consequences of the Treaty of Tordesillas on indigenous populations in the Americas.
  • The Treaty of Tordesillas had dire consequences for indigenous populations in the Americas as it disregarded their existence and rights to land. As Spain and Portugal expanded their territories based on this treaty, they imposed colonial rule that often resulted in violence, forced labor, and cultural disruption. Indigenous communities faced significant challenges to their way of life due to European diseases, exploitation, and territorial encroachment sanctioned by the treaty.
• Assess how the Treaty of Tordesillas set a precedent for international diplomacy regarding territorial claims during the Age of Exploration.
  • The Treaty of Tordesillas established a precedent for international diplomacy in dealing with territorial claims during the Age of Exploration by showcasing how powerful nations could negotiate agreements to divide new lands. This set a model for future treaties that sought to address competing claims over newly discovered territories among European powers. However, it also highlighted inherent issues such as excluding indigenous rights from these discussions and creating conflicts when other nations ignored or contested such agreements.

Related terms

Line of Demarcation: An imaginary line established by the Treaty of Tordesillas that divided the New World between Spain and Portugal, with territories west belonging to Spain and those east to Portugal.

Spanish Empire: A vast empire established by Spain during the Age of Exploration, which expanded across large parts of the Americas, Africa, and Asia, heavily influenced by the terms of the Treaty of Tordesillas.

Colonialism:

The practice of acquiring full or partial political control over another country or territory, often involving settling among its indigenous population and exploiting its resources, exemplified by actions following the Treaty of Tordesillas.