
Treaty of Tordesillas
The Treaty of Tordesillas, signed at Tordesillas on June 7, 1494, and authenticated at Setúbal, Portugal, divided the newly discovered lands outside Europe between Portugal and the Crown of Castile, along a meridian 370 leagues west of the Cape Verde islands, off the west coast of Africa.
Portuguese Empire
The Portuguese Empire, also known as the Portuguese Overseas or the Portuguese Colonial Empire, was composed of the overseas colonies and territories governed by Portugal. One of the largest and longest-lived empires in world history, it existed for almost six centuries, from the captu…
Where did the Treaty of Tordesillas take place?
On June 7, 1494, the governments of Spain and Portugal agreed to the Treaty of Tordesillas, named for the city in Spain in which it was created.
What did the Treaty of Tordesillas say about Christianity?
More significantly, however, the Treaty of Tordesillas completely ignored the millions of people already living in established communities in the Americas. The treaty stipulated that any lands with a “ Christian king” would not be colonized. Of course, by that time, Christianity had not spread broadly in the Americas.
How did the Treaty of Tordesillas change the line of demarcation?
Portugal objected, and the Treaty of Tordesillas shifted the line of demarcation more than 800 miles to the west. History of Europe: Discovery of the New World. Read more about Iberian exploration of the New World in the History of Europe article.

What is the Treaty of Tordesillas simple definition?
The 1494 Treaty of Tordesillas (Tordesilhas) was an agreement between the monarchs of Spain and Portugal to divide the world between them into two spheres of influence.
What was the 1494 Treaty of Tordesillas quizlet?
What was the Treaty of Tordesillas? 1494 treaty where Spain and Portugal agreed to divide lands in the Western hemisphere between them and move the Line of Demarcation to the WEST.
What was the reason for the Treaty of Tordesillas?
The Treaty of Tordesillas was agreed upon by the Spanish and the Portuguese to clear up confusion on newly claimed land in the New World. The early 1400s brought about great advances in European exploration.
What was the most significant result of the 1494 Treaty of Tordesillas quizlet?
What was the most significant result of the 1494 Treaty of Tordesillas? It deprived the Portuguese of valuable land in South America.
What was the result of the Treaty of Tordesillas quizlet?
What was the result of the Treaty of Tordesillas? The Line of Demarcation was made by the Pope Alexander IV. It divided the non-European world into different zones. Portugal had the east, giving Spain the west.
Where was the Treaty of Tordesillas?
SpainThe Treaty of Tordesillas, signed in Tordesillas, Spain on 7 June 1494, and authenticated in Setúbal, Portugal, divided the newly discovered lands outside Europe between the Portuguese Empire and the Spanish Empire (Crown of Castile), along a meridian 370 leagues west of the Cape Verde islands, off the west coast of ...
How did the Treaty of Tordesillas prevent war between Spain and Portugal?
How did the Treaty of Tordesillas prevent war between Spain and Portugal? Spain and Portugal agreed to allow the pope to divide their land claims. A Line of Demarcation was set, dividing their claims in the Americas.
When did Treaty of Tordesillas end?
The Treaty of Tordesillas was in effect for almost 300 years, with the exception of 1580 to 1640 when the crowns of Spain and Portugal were united. It was superseded in the second half of the Eighteenth Century, by the Treaty of Madrid in 1750 and finally the Treaty of San Ildefonso in 1777.
Why was the Treaty of Tordesillas created quizlet?
Treaty of Tordesillas, agreement between Spain and Portugal aimed at settling conflicts over lands newly discovered or explored by Christopher Columbus and other late 15th-century voyagers.
Which treaty settled the territorial dispute between Spain and Portugal quizlet?
The treaty of tordesillas of 1494 settled? The dispute between spain and portugal over claims to new land.
How did the Encomienda system work quizlet?
The encomienda system was a labour system under which the Tainos had to work in the fields and mines belonging to the Spaniards. What was the first thing Nicholas de Ovando did and what was it called? He divided the Tainos into groups of 30 and it was called the repartimiento.
Which statement describes England attempt to secure a North American settlement in the late 16th century?
Which statement describes England's attempt to secure a North American settlement in the late sixteenth century? It sent explorers but could not sustain thriving colonies.
What did the Treaty of Tordesillas do?
In theory, the Treaty of Tordesillas divided the New World into Spanish and Portuguese spheres of influence. The treaty amended papal bulls issued...
How did the other European powers respond to the terms of the Treaty of Tordesillas?
After Spain and Portugal agreed to the Treaty of Tordesillas in 1494, the other countries of Europe did not obey its terms. They instead pursued th...
How long did the Treaty of Tordesillas last?
When it was signed in 1494, the Treaty of Tordesillas was to “continue in force and remain firm, stable, and valid forever and ever.” But the succe...
What was the Treaty of Tordesillas?
The treaty stipulated that any lands with a “ Christian king” would not be colonized. Of course, by that time, Christianity had not spread broadly in the Americas.
What was the name of the treaty between Spain and Portugal?
On June 7, 1494, the governments of Spain and Portugal agreed to the Treaty of Tordesillas, named for the city in Spain in which it was created. The Treaty of Tordesillas neatly divided the “ New World ” of the Americas between the two superpowers. Spain and Portugal divided the New World by drawing a north-to-south line ...
Which country expanded the borders of Brazil?
This is because the eastern tip of Brazil falls east of the line of demarcation settled upon in the Treaty of Tordesillas, and was where the majority of Portuguese colonization occurred. The borders of modern Brazil have expanded since the 1506 expansion of the Treaty of Tordesillas. Spain and Portugal were the only signatories ...
What civilizations were affected by the conquest of the Americas?
The resulting conquest and colonization proved disastrous for civilizations, such as the Inca, Taino, and Aztec, along with thousands of other communities throughout the Americas. adhere. Verb.
Which country was the first to claim the eastern coast of Brazil?
Spain and Portugal adhered to the treaty without major conflict between the two, although the line of demarcation was moved an additional 270 leagues (about 1500 kilometers or 932 miles) farther west in 1506, which enabled Portugal to claim the eastern coast of what is now Brazil.
Did the Treaty of Tordesillas take into account future claims?
The treaty did not consider any future claims made by the British, French, and other European superpowers of their respective times. The British, French, and Dutch Empires did not claim parts of the Americas until years after the Treaty of Tordesillas. More significantly, however, the Treaty of Tordesillas completely ignored the millions ...
Where was the Treaty of Tordesillas signed?
The Treaty of Tordesillas, signed in Tordesillas, Spain on 7 June 1494, and authenticated in Setúbal, Portugal, divided the newly-discovered lands outside Europe between the Portuguese Empire and the Spanish Empire ( Crown of Castile ), along a meridian 370 leagues west of the Cape Verde islands, off the west coast of Africa.
What was the 1494 treaty between Spain and Portugal?
For the treaty signed in 1524, see Treaty of Tordesillas (1524). 1494 treaty dividing the unclaimed world between Spanish and Portuguese sovereignty. Treaty of Tordesillas.
How was the line of demarcation determined in the Treaty of Tordesillas?
The Treaty of Tordesillas only specified the line of demarcation in leagues from the Cape Verde Islands. It did not specify the line in degrees, nor did it identify the specific island or the specific length of its league. Instead, the treaty stated that these matters were to be settled by a joint voyage, which never occurred. The number of degrees can be determined via a ratio of marine leagues to degrees applied to the earth regardless of its assumed size, or via a specific marine league applied to the true size of the earth, called "our sphere" by historian Henry Harrisse.
How did the Treaty of Saragossa differ from the Treaty of Tordesillas?
The Treaty of Saragossa did not modify or clarify the line of demarcation in the Treaty of Tordesillas, nor did it validate Spain's claim to equal hemispheres (180° each), so the two lines divided the earth into unequal hemispheres. Portugal's portion was roughly 191° whereas Spain's portion was roughly 169°. Both portions have a large uncertainty of ±4° because of the wide variation in the opinions regarding the location of the Tordesillas line.
What did the Portuguese King do after Columbus' discovery?
The Portuguese king also stated that he was already making arrangements for a fleet (an armada led by Francisco de Almeida) to depart shortly and take possession of the new lands . After reading the letter the Catholic Monarchs knew they did not have any military power in the Atlantic to match the Portuguese, so they pursued a diplomatic way out. On 4 May 1493 Pope Alexander VI ( Rodrigo Borgia ), an Aragonese from Valencia by birth, decreed in the bull Inter caetera that all lands west of a pole-to-pole line 100 leagues west of any of the islands of the Azores or the Cape Verde Islands should belong to Castile, although territory under Christian rule as of Christmas 1492 would remain untouched. The bull did not mention Portugal or its lands, so Portugal could not claim newly discovered lands even if they were east of the line. Another bull, Dudum siquidem, entitled Extension of the Apostolic Grant and Donation of the Indies and dated 25 September 1493, gave all mainlands and islands, "at one time or even still belonging to India" to Spain, even if east of the line.
How did the Treaty of Malacca affect colonization?
However, it quickly became obsolete in North America, and later in Asia and Africa, where it affected colonization. It was ignored by other European nations, and with the decline of Spanish and Portuguese power, the home countries were unable to hold many of their claims, much less expand them into poorly explored areas. Thus, with sufficient backing, it became possible for any European state to colonize open territories , or those weakly held by Lisbon or Madrid. With the fall of Malacca to the Dutch, the VOC ( Dutch East India Company) took control of Portuguese possessions in Indonesia, claiming Western New Guinea and Western Australia, as New Holland. Eastern Australia remained in the Spanish half of the world until claimed for Britain by James Cook in 1770. That said, "the current border between Western Australia on the one hand, and South Australia and the Northern Territory on the other hand (originally the western border of New South Wales, 1788) is still based on the Tordesillas line [...] rather than on Australian Aboriginal tribal boundaries". : 193–194
Why did Christopher Columbus write the Treaty of Tordesillas?
The Treaty of Tordesillas was intended to solve the dispute that arose following the return of Christopher Columbus and his crew, who had sailed under the Crown of Castile. On his way back to Spain he first stopped at Lisbon, where he requested another meeting with King John II to prove to him that there were more islands to the southwest of the Canary Islands.
When was the Treaty of Tordesillas signed?
The Treaty of Tordesillas was sign by Spain on June 2, 1494 in the city of Tordesillas, Spain.
What did the Treaty of Alcacovas mean?
This aggravated the King, therefore he drafted a letter to the catholic Monarchs claiming that the treaty of Alcacovas signed in 1479 gave Portugal the right to all lands found on the south of Canary Island. This meant the land did not belong to the Castle of Castile.
Why did the Treaty of Zaragoza happen?
The main reason for the treaty was to ensure a newly discovered land outside Europe was divided in a rational and peaceful manner between the Portuguese Empire and the Crown of Castile. This land was divided along the meridian 370 league that is located on the west side of Cape Verde Island. The Portuguese Empire occupied the east region while the people of Castile occupied the west. Another treaty known as the Zaragoza emerged in the year 1529 between the outside worlds that indicated the antemeridian to the position of separation.
What was the main aim of the Treaty of Chile?
Contrary to ancient claims, the modern claims states that this treaty cited by Chile was formed with the main aim of protecting the principle of an Antarctic sector.
Why did the agreement not satisfy the King?
However, the agreement did not satisfy the King because it gave him little land than he had wanted. In as much as they could not go to war over the matter, disputes arouse upon the mention of India which was part of the discovered land.
Who ruled that Portugal could not claim the land?
In May 1493, Pope Alexander ruled that any land found between poles 100 leagues that is located west of Cape Verde all belonged to the Castle. Furthermore, since Portugal was not mentioned, they could not claim the land. However, the agreement did not satisfy the King because it gave him little land than he had wanted.
Which empire occupied the east region while the people of Castile occupied the west?
The Portuguese Empire occupied the east region while the people of Castile occupied the west. Another treaty known as the Zaragoza emerged in the year 1529 between the outside worlds that indicated the antemeridian to the position of separation.
Who owns the Treaty of Tordesillas?
Written in Spanish, the front page of this copy of the treaty is owned and held by Portugal.
When did Portugal and Spain meet to draw the line of separation?
The two countries met at Tordesillas in Spain and drew the line 1,185 miles west of the Cape Verde Islands on June 7, 1494.
What countries claimed South America in 1650?
A map of South America as it appeared in 1650, showing areas claimed by Portugal, Spain and Holland, and both the Papal demarcation line of 1493, as well as the redrawn Tordesillas line of 1494.
When was the Cantino Planisphere completed?
The Cantino planisphere, completed by an unknown Portuguese cartographer in 1502, is one of the most regarded cartographic documents of all time. It depicts the world as it became known to the Europeans after the great exploration voyages at the end of the fifteenth and beginning of the sixteenth century to the Americas, Africa, and India.

Overview
The Treaty of Tordesillas, signed in Tordesillas, Spain on 7 June 1494, and authenticated in Setúbal, Portugal, divided the newly discovered lands outside Europe between the Portuguese Empire and the Spanish Empire (Crown of Castile), along a meridian 370 leagues west of the Cape Verde islands, off the west coast of Africa. That line of demarcation was about halfway between the Cape Verd…
Signing and enforcement
The Treaty of Tordesillas was intended to solve the dispute that arose following the return of Christopher Columbus and his crew, who had sailed under the Crown of Castile. On his way back to Spain he first stopped at Lisbon, where he requested another meeting with King John II to prove to him that there were more islands to the southwest of the Canary Islands.
Tordesillas meridian
The Treaty of Tordesillas only specified the line of demarcation in leagues from the Cape Verde Islands. It did not specify the line in degrees, nor did it identify the specific island or the specific length of its league. Instead, the treaty stated that these matters were to be settled by a joint voyage, which never occurred. The number of degrees can be determined via a ratio of marine leagues to deg…
Antimeridian: Moluccas and Treaty of Zaragoza
Initially, the line of demarcation did not encircle the earth. Instead, Spain and Portugal could conquer any new lands they were the first to discover, Spain to the west and Portugal to the east, even if they passed each other on the other side of the globe. But Portugal's discovery of the highly valued Moluccas in 1512 caused Spain to argue in 1518 that the Treaty of Tordesillas divided the earth i…
Effect on other European powers
The treaty was important in dividing Latin America, as well as establishing Spain in the western Pacific. However, it quickly became obsolete in North America, and later in Asia and Africa, where it affected colonization. It was ignored by other European nations, and with the decline of Spanish and Portuguese power, the home countries were unable to hold many of their claims, much less expand them into poorly explored areas. Thus, with sufficient backing, it became possible for an…
Treaty of Madrid
On January 13, 1750, King John V of Portugal and Ferdinand VI of Spain signed the Treaty of Madrid, in which both parties sought to establish the borders between Brazil and Spanish America, admitting that the Treaty of Tordesillas, as it had been envisioned in 1494 had been superseded, and was considered void. Spain was acknowledged sovereignty over the Philippines, while Portugal would get the territory of the Amazon River basin. Portugal would relinquish the c…
Modern claims
The Treaty of Tordesillas was invoked by Chile in the 20th century to defend the principle of an Antarctic sector extending along a meridian to the South Pole, as well as the assertion that the treaty made Spanish (or Portuguese) all undiscovered land south to the Pole.
Indonesia took possession of Netherlands New Guinea in 1962, supporting its claim by stating the Empire of Majapahit had included western New Guinea, and that it was part of the Treaty of Tord…
See also
• Catholic Church and the Age of Discovery
• History of Portugal (1415–1578)
• List of treaties