The main provisions of the Treaty of Tordesillas were as follows:
Division of the World: The treaty established an imaginary line of demarcation, running from pole to pole, that divided the world into two hemispheres. All lands discovered or to be discovered east of the line were granted to Portugal, while all lands west of the line were assigned to Spain.
Line of Demarcation: The precise location of the line of demarcation was set at 370 leagues west of the Cape Verde Islands. However, due to the limitations of geographical knowledge at the time, the exact longitude of this line was not accurately determined, leading to further disputes and disagreements between Spain and Portugal.
Exceptions: The treaty included exceptions for territories that had already been discovered or claimed by either Spain or Portugal before the signing of the agreement. For instance, Portugal retained control of its holdings in Africa and the East, including the lucrative spice trade routes, while Spain maintained its claims to the Caribbean and the recently discovered lands in the Americas.
Exploration and Discovery: The treaty allowed both Spain and Portugal to continue exploring and discovering new lands within their respective hemispheres, as long as they did not encroach upon the other party's territories. This provision led to further exploration and colonization by both nations in the years to come.
Papal Approval: The Treaty of Tordesillas was reinforced by the papal bull "Inter caetera," issued by Pope Alexander VI on May 4, 1493. The bull granted Spain exclusive rights to all lands discovered or to be discovered west of the line of demarcation, further solidifying the agreement.
The Treaty of Tordesillas had significant implications for the exploration and colonization of the Americas. It shaped the geopolitical landscape of the New World, dividing it between Spain and Portugal, and influenced the subsequent development and settlement of the Americas by European powers.