What was the Treaty of Tordesillas, and what impact did it have?

The Treaty of Tordesillas, signed in 1494, was an agreement between Spain and Portugal brokered by the Pope to resolve disputes over newly explored lands in the New World. The treaty established a demarcation line in the Atlantic Ocean, granting Spain rights to territories west of this line and Portugal rights to those east of it. This division was significant because it formally recognized and sanctioned the colonial ambitions of both nations, leading to the establishment of vast empires that would profoundly shape the history and geography of the Americas.

The impact of the treaty was far-reaching. It allowed Spain to lay claim to much of Central and South America, while Portugal focused its efforts on Brazil and parts of Africa and Asia. The agreement exemplified the era's colonial mindset and underscored the geopolitical interests of European powers in exploiting newly discovered lands. Moreover, the implications of the Treaty of Tordesillas lasted for centuries, influencing the distribution of languages, cultures, and economic systems in the New World.