The Treaty of Tordesillas (1494): Dividing the World Between Spain and Portugal

Following Christopher Columbus’s first voyage in 1492, Spain sought papal confirmation of its claims to newly discovered lands. Pope Alexander VI, in 1493, issued a papal bull establishing a line of demarcation 100 leagues west of the Cape Verde Islands, granting all non-Christian lands west of the line to Spain and all lands east of the line to Portugal.

However, King John II of Portugal rejected this arrangement, arguing that:

• The line did not favor Portuguese interests, as it limited Portugal’s potential claims in the Atlantic and the Americas.
• Portuguese discoveries in the South Atlantic might fall under Spanish control.
• Portugal already had a strong claim to the Indian Ocean trade routes, and the agreement needed to ensure that Portugal retained exclusive rights to the East Indies.

John II threatened military action, claiming that part of South America lay within Portugal’s sphere of influence, and negotiated a new treaty with Spain.

The Treaty of Tordesillas (June 7, 1494)

• The new treaty moved the original demarcation line 270 leagues farther west to 370 leagues (about 1,770 km or 1,100 miles) west of the Cape Verde Islands.
• This formalized the division of the non-Christian world into areas open for colonization by Spain and Portugal:
  • Spain would have exclusive rights to lands west of the line.
  • Portugal would have exclusive rights to lands east of the line, including Africa and the sea route to India.

Significance of the Treaty: Securing Brazil for Portugal

• This adjustment in the demarcation line eventually led to Portugal’s claim over Brazil, which was officially sighted in 1500 by Pedro Álvares Cabral.
• When Cabral landed in Brazil, he promptly claimed the territory for Portugal, securing Portuguese control over South America’s easternmost region.
• Without this shift in the Treaty of Tordesillas, Brazil might have fallen into Spanish hands.

Impact and Legacy of the Treaty

1. Established a Legal Basis for European Colonialism

   • This was one of the first formal international agreements dividing newly discovered lands, setting a precedent for European powers claiming foreign territories without indigenous consent.

2. Confirmed Portugal’s Focus on Eastern Expansion

   • The treaty guaranteed Portugal’s ability to explore Africa and secure the Indian Ocean trade routes.
   • Within four years, Vasco da Gama reached India (1498), strengthening Portugal’s position as a dominant naval power.

3. Secured Spanish Dominance in the Americas

   • Spain expanded westward, eventually leading to the colonization of Mexico, Central America, and South America.

4. Future Disputes and Modifications

   • In 1529, the Treaty of Zaragoza later clarified the division of the Pacific Ocean, ensuring Portuguese control over the Spice Islands (Moluccas).

Conclusion: A Pivotal Moment in Global History

The Treaty of Tordesillas (1494) ensured that Spain and Portugal avoided direct conflict over overseas expansion, allowing both nations to build global empires. While Spain became dominant in the Americas, Portugal secured control over Brazil and the sea routes to India and the East Indies, shaping the course of European colonialism for centuries.