Kaubanduslepinguteni

Kaubanduslepinguteni, also known as the Treaty of Tordesillas, is a significant historical document that was signed on June 7, 1494, by the Catholic Monarchs of Spain, Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile, and King John II of Portugal. The treaty was signed in the Spanish town of Tordesillas, hence its name. The primary purpose of the treaty was to resolve the dispute between Spain and Portugal over the newly discovered lands in the Americas, which had been a source of tension since the late 15th century.

The treaty established a line of demarcation, known as the Line of Tordesillas, which ran 370 leagues west of the Cape Verde Islands. This line divided the newly discovered lands between Spain and Portugal. All lands to the west of the line were to be claimed by Spain, while those to the east were to be claimed by Portugal. This division was intended to prevent territorial disputes and ensure that both countries could explore and colonize the Americas without interference.

The treaty also addressed other issues related to the exploration and colonization of the Americas. It established that both countries would have the right to claim any lands discovered by their respective explorers, regardless of whether they were on the east or west side of the line. Additionally, the treaty prohibited both countries from making alliances with any native populations in the Americas, which was intended to prevent the spread of Christianity and maintain the independence of the native peoples.

The Treaty of Tordesillas had a profound impact on the history of the Americas and the world. It marked the beginning of the European colonization of the Americas and set the stage for the subsequent conflicts and power struggles between European powers. The treaty also highlighted the importance of international agreements in resolving disputes and promoting cooperation in the exploration and colonization of new lands.