Why was the Treaty of Tordesillas necessary?

The 1494 Treaty of Tordesillas permitted the kings of Portugal and Spain to expand their empires but avoid direct competition by not colonising exactly the same areas.

What impact did the Treaty of Tordesillas have?

The impact of the Treaty of Tordesillas was that Spain colonized parts of the Americas while Portugal concentrated on Brazil, West Africa, and Asia.

Treaty of Tordesillas Timeline

Q: What is the Treaty of Tordesillas?

The Treaty of Tordesillas was an agreement in 1494 between Spain and Portugal to divide the world between them using an imaginary line down the centre of the Atlantic Ocean.

Invest in History Education

By supporting our charity World History Foundation, you're investing in the future of history education. Your donation helps us empower the next generation with the knowledge and skills they need to understand the world around them. Help us start the new year ready to publish more reliable historical information, free for everyone.

$3544 / $10000

Definition

The 1494 Treaty of Tordesillas (Tordesilhas) was an agreement between the monarchs of Spain and Portugal to divide the world between them into two spheres of influence. The imaginary dividing line ran down the centre of the Atlantic Ocean, leaving the Americas to Spain and West Africa and anything beyond the Cape of Good Hope to Portugal.

More about: Treaty of Tordesillas

Timeline Search

Search through the entire ancient history timeline. Specify between which dates you want to search, and what keywords you are looking for.