Treaty of Tordesillas

7 June 1494 · Tordesillas, Spain

Europe & world wars

Background

After Columbus's voyage, Pope Alexander VI divided the new lands in 1493; Spain and Portugal then agreed their own line 370 leagues west of the Cape Verde islands. Lands to the west went to Spain and lands to the east to Portugal. Other European powers ignored it.

Signed by

Spain and Portugal

Why it matters

Divided newly discovered lands outside Europe between Spain and Portugal along a line in the Atlantic; this is why Brazil speaks Portuguese.