Treaty of Tordesillas
Definition
The Treaty of Tordesillas, signed in 1494, was an agreement between Spain and Portugal aimed at settling conflicts over lands newly discovered or explored by Christopher Columbus and other late 15th-century voyagers.
Analogy
Think of the Treaty of Tordesillas like a game of Monopoly. Spain and Portugal were two players who wanted to avoid conflict over properties (in this case, new lands). So they agreed on a rule (the treaty) that divided the board (the world) into two parts along a specific line. This way, each player knew which properties they could claim without causing a dispute.
Related terms
Line of Demarcation: This is the boundary around the Atlantic Ocean established by Pope Alexander VI in 1493. It's like drawing a line on your shared bedroom with your sibling to determine who gets what space.
Age of Exploration: This refers to the period from the early 15th century to the early 17th century when European ships traveled around the world to search for new trading routes and partners. It's like going on a global scavenger hunt looking for valuable items (spices, gold, etc.).
Colonialism: This is a practice or policy where powerful countries establish settlements in less powerful regions and exploit their resources. It's similar to setting up camp in someone else's backyard without their permission and using all their facilities while giving them little or nothing in return.
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Study guides (1)
Practice Questions (8)
What was the long-term implication of the Treaty of Tordesillas (1494) on global politics and colonialism?
What impact did the Treaty of Tordesillas, signed between Spain and Portugal in 1494, have on other European powers' exploration and colonization efforts?
How did the Treaty Of Tordesillas influence colonial expansion during the Age Of Exploration?
How did the Treaty of Tordesillas impact colonial rivalries in the New World?
How did the Treaty of Tordesillas, signed in 1494, influence European colonial expansion and global power dynamics in subsequent centuries?
The Treaty of Tordesillas was a result of rivalry between which two major European powers?
When was the Treaty of Tordesillas signed that divided New World lands between Spain and Portugal?
What was one effect of the Treaty of Tordesillas signed in late fifteenth century Europe?
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