Treaty of Tordesillas
At a glance:
- Series: Chronology of European History
- Categories: Religion, Ethics, Land Acquisition and Expansion, Territory Redistribution, Law, Legal History, Courts, Geography
- Subcategories: Colonialism, Colonies, Settlements, Popes, Papacy, Cardinals, Treaties, Agreements, Negotiations
- Curriculum: Renaissance History, American Pre-Colonial History (to 1606), Spanish/Portuguese History
- Geographical Location: Spain
- Date: June 7, 1494
Article abstract: The Treaty of Tordesillas gives papal authority for the division of New World possessions between Spain and Portugal.
Summary of Event
When Christopher Columbus returned to Europe from his first voyage to the Caribbean, Spain and Portugal began to dispute which nation had jurisdiction over the new lands. King John II of Portugal claimed that earlier papal bulls had donated any discoveries to his domains. Ferdinand and Isabella sought mediation by the current pope, Alexander VI, who issued a series of bulls favorable to Spain in 1493....
[The entire page is 1678 words long]
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