Treaty of Tordesillas
A treaty between Spain and Portugal dividing newly discovered and yet-to-be-discovered lands outside Europe between the two powers along a meridian 370 leagues west of the Cape Verde Islands.
Preceding Causes
Columbus's 1492 voyage created competing Spanish and Portuguese claims to Atlantic territories. Pope Alexander VI's Inter caetera bulls (1493) initially favored Spain; Portugal negotiated the Treaty of Tordesillas to shift the line westward, gaining Brazil.
Historical Consequences
Determined that Brazil would become Portuguese-speaking while most of the Americas became Spanish-speaking. Also legitimized Portuguese expansion in Africa and Asia. Ignored by other European powers (England, France, Netherlands) who rejected papal authority to divide the world.
Spanish Colonization of the Americas
Following Columbus's 1492 voyage, Spain conquered and colonized vast territories in the Americas, destroying the Aztec and Inca empires, subjugating indigenous populations, and extracting enormous mineral wealth.
Portuguese Empire
The first global maritime empire, Portugal established trade posts and colonies spanning four continents for nearly 600 years, beginning with the capture of Ceuta in North Africa (1415) and ending with the handover of Macau (1999).