Light

Treaty of Tordesillas

Definition

The Treaty of Tordesillas was an agreement signed in 1494 that divided the newly discovered lands outside Europe between Spain and Portugal. It aimed to resolve conflicts over territorial claims by establishing a line of demarcation.

Analogy

Imagine you and your sibling finding a treasure chest full of candy. To avoid fighting over it, your parents draw an imaginary line, giving you one side and your sibling the other. The Treaty of Tordesillas is like that imaginary line, dividing up the newly discovered lands between Spain and Portugal.

Related terms

Line of Demarcation: An imaginary line established by the Treaty of Tordesillas that divided the world into Spanish and Portuguese territories.

Age of Exploration: A period in history when European explorers sailed across the Atlantic Ocean to discover new lands and establish colonies.

Christopher Columbus: An Italian explorer who completed four voyages across the Atlantic Ocean, leading to European awareness and colonization of the Americas.