The Treaty of Tordesillas, signed in 1494, was a key moment in the history of European colonization and the global distribution of power. It was an agreement between the Catholic Monarchs of Spain, Isabella I and Ferdinand II, and the King of Portugal, John II, which aimed to resolve a dispute over the right to explore and claim territories in the newly discovered Americas.
The treaty was a result of the voyages of Christopher Columbus, who had reached the Caribbean in 1492 and opened the way for further exploration and conquest of the Americas. However, the Catholic Monarchs and the King of Portugal had different claims to the territories that Columbus had discovered, and the treaty was an attempt to resolve this conflict.
Under the terms of the treaty, a line was drawn through the Atlantic Ocean, running from north to south, about 2,400 miles west of the Cape Verde islands. All lands discovered to the west of this line would belong to Spain, while those to the east would belong to Portugal. The treaty also granted Portugal the exclusive right to explore and trade with the lands in Africa, east of the line.
The treaty had significant consequences for the distribution of power and wealth in the world. For Spain, it meant the right to conquer and colonize the vast territories of Central and South America, which were rich in gold, silver, and other valuable resources. This led to the establishment of Spanish colonies in the Americas, which became major sources of wealth and influence for Spain.
For Portugal, the treaty granted the right to explore and trade with the lands in Africa and Asia, which also contained valuable resources such as spices and other luxury goods. This led to the establishment of Portuguese colonies in Africa and Asia, and the Portuguese became major players in the global trade network of the time.
Overall, the Treaty of Tordesillas had a major impact on the course of history and the global distribution of power. It established the legal foundations for the colonization of the Americas and the expansion of European influence around the world, and it shaped the geopolitical landscape for centuries to come.