Here's why they divided the world into these zones:
* Competition for resources: Both Spain and Portugal were eager to exploit the vast resources of the newly discovered lands, including gold, silver, spices, and new trade routes.
* Religious zeal: The desire to spread Christianity to the newly discovered lands played a significant role. Both Spain and Portugal were deeply Catholic and saw their voyages of exploration as a way to expand their religious influence.
* Fear of conflict: The Treaty of Tordesillas aimed to prevent future conflicts and bloodshed by clearly defining the geographical areas each nation could explore and exploit.
How the Treaty Divided the World:
The Treaty of Tordesillas established a line of demarcation running from pole to pole, 370 leagues west of the Cape Verde Islands.
* West of the line: Portugal claimed the right to explore and colonize all lands west of the line, including Brazil, parts of Africa, and Asia.
* East of the line: Spain claimed the right to explore and colonize all lands east of the line, including most of South America, Central America, and the Caribbean.
Impact of the Treaty:
The Treaty of Tordesillas had a profound impact on the history of the Americas and beyond:
* It influenced the development of colonial empires and the spread of European power around the world.
* It shaped the cultural and linguistic diversity of Latin America and the Caribbean.
* It led to the exploitation of resources and the forced labor of indigenous populations.
Important Note: While the Treaty of Tordesillas aimed to divide the world into zones of influence, it was not completely successful in preventing conflicts between Spain and Portugal. Further agreements were reached, and the actual division of territories evolved over time.