Why did the Treaty of Tordesillas happen? Exploring the Motivations

📚 Understanding the Treaty of Tordesillas

The Treaty of Tordesillas, signed in 1494, was an agreement between Portugal and Spain that aimed to resolve conflicts arising from the European Age of Exploration and overseas expansion. Essentially, it divided the newly 'discovered' lands outside of Europe between the two kingdoms along a meridian 370 leagues west of the Cape Verde Islands. Lands to the east would belong to Portugal, and lands to the west to Spain.

📜 Historical Background

• 🧭 The Age of Exploration: The 15th century saw intense maritime exploration driven by the desire for new trade routes and resources.
• 🌍 Columbus's Voyage: Christopher Columbus's voyages to the Americas in 1492, sponsored by Spain, heightened tensions with Portugal, which believed it had rights to some of these territories based on earlier papal bulls.
• 🤝 Papal Intervention: Pope Alexander VI initially issued a series of bulls granting Spain rights to newly discovered lands, but Portugal sought a more equitable agreement.

🔑 Key Motivations and Principles

• ⚖️ Avoiding Conflict: The primary motivation was to prevent armed conflict between Spain and Portugal, both powerful maritime nations.
• 📜 Papal Authority: The treaty was sanctioned by the Pope, giving it religious and moral authority in the eyes of European powers.
• 🗺️ Dividing Spheres of Influence: It aimed to clearly delineate the areas each country could explore, colonize, and exploit.
• 💰 Economic Interests: Both nations sought to secure access to valuable resources, trade routes, and territories in the newly discovered lands.

🌍 Real-World Examples

• 🇧🇷 Brazil: The eastern part of South America, which is now Brazil, fell within Portugal's sphere of influence under the treaty. This is why Brazil speaks Portuguese today.
• 🇵🇭 Philippines: Although located on the eastern side of the demarcation line, the Philippines became a Spanish colony. This was due to Spain reaching the islands by sailing west, and the imprecise determination of longitude at the time.

💡 Conclusion

The Treaty of Tordesillas happened primarily to prevent conflict between Spain and Portugal by dividing the newly discovered world into spheres of influence. While it provided a temporary solution, its long-term impact included shaping the colonial landscape of the Americas and influencing the languages and cultures of various regions. The treaty highlights the complex interplay of exploration, papal authority, and economic interests in the 15th century.