What did the Treaty of Tordesillas establish concerning territorial claims?

• A. Spain received lands to the east of the meridian
• B. Spain received lands west of the meridian, while Portugal received those east
• C. Portugal gained all of South America
• D. There was agreement on shared governance of new territories

Answer: (B)

The Treaty of Tordesillas, signed in 1494 between Spain and Portugal, was a significant agreement that aimed to resolve disputes over newly discovered lands following Columbus's voyages. The treaty established a meridian, which was a line running from pole to pole, approximately 370 leagues west of the Cape Verde Islands. According to the terms of this treaty, Spain was granted the rights to all lands west of this line, while Portugal was allocated the territories to the east of the meridian.

This division was crucial as it laid the foundation for future colonial claims and shaped the territorial boundaries during the Age of Exploration. As a result, Spain focused on its conquests in the Americas, while Portugal expanded its influence in Africa, Asia, and what would become Brazil. The Treaty of Tordesillas highlights the rivalry and competition between these two leading maritime powers in the 15th and 16th centuries and their efforts to avoid conflict over overlapping claims.

The other options do not accurately represent the terms established by the treaty. For instance, Spain did not receive lands to the east of the meridian nor did Portugal gain all of South America, as the agreement specifically delineated these territories. Additionally, the treaty did not involve any form of shared governance