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The Treaty of Tordesillas - Detail of the Catholic Kings © Portuguese State (Ministry of Culture)

Treaty of Tordesillas

Registration year: 2007
Submission year: 
2006
Collection ID: 
2006-43

Collection information

Committee: 
Submitted by: 
Portugal
Spain

The Treaty of Tordesillas of 7 June 1494 involves agreements between King Ferdinand II of Aragon and Queen Isabella I of Castile and King John II of Portugal establishing a new demarcation line between the two crowns, running from pole to pole, 370 leagues to the west of Cape Verde islands. The Treaty was finally signed following complex diplomatic negotiations between ambassadors and barristers from both Kingdoms. Modification of a demarcation line dividing the world between Spain and Portugal resulted in the birth of Brazil as its eastern end fell within the Portuguese zone. This document is essential if we are to understand American history and economic and cultural relations between Europe and America. Therefore the treaty became an important reference not only to the Atlantic Ocean history but also to the memory of the world allowing the meeting of continents and civilizations separated by unknown oceans.

Collection locations

treaty_tordesillas_2_recto_0.jpg

The Treaty of Tordesillas of 7 June 1494 - Page 2, Rector. © Spanish State (Department of Culture)
The Treaty of Tordesillas of 7 June 1494 - Page 2, Rector.
© Spanish State (Department of Culture)

treaty_tordesillas_2_verso.jpg

The Treaty of Tordesillas of 7 June 1494 - Page 2, Verso.  © Spanish State (Department of Culture)
The Treaty of Tordesillas of 7 June 1494 - Page 2, Verso.
© Spanish State (Department of Culture)

treaty_tordesillas_sello_0.jpg

The Treaty of Tordesillas - Seal © Spanish State (Department of Culture)
The Treaty of Tordesillas - Seal
© Spanish State (Department of Culture)

building_dgarq_c0016.jpg

Building of the Direcção Geral de Arquivos, Lisboa, Portugal © Portuguese State (Ministry of Culture)
Building of the Direcção Geral de Arquivos, Lisboa, Portugal
© Portuguese State (Ministry of Culture)

treaty_tordesillas_general_view_vault_0.jpg

General view of the vault, Direcção Geral de Arquivos, Lisboa, Portugal © Portuguese State (Ministry of Culture)
General view of the vault, Direcção Geral de Arquivos, Lisboa, Portugal
© Portuguese State (Ministry of Culture)

treaty_tordesillas_enclosure_m0015.jpg

The Treaty of Tordesillas - Enclosure © Portuguese State (Ministry of Culture)
The Treaty of Tordesillas - Enclosure
© Portuguese State (Ministry of Culture)

page1recto.jpg

The Treaty of Tordesillas - Page 1 recto © Portuguese State (Ministry of Culture)
The Treaty of Tordesillas - Page 1 recto
© Portuguese State (Ministry of Culture)

treaty_tordesillas_detail_catholics_kings_int.jpg

The Treaty of Tordesillas - Detail of the Catholic Kings © Portuguese State (Ministry of Culture)
The Treaty of Tordesillas - Detail of the Catholic Kings
© Portuguese State (Ministry of Culture)

treaty_tordesillas_page2recto.jpg

The Treaty of Tordesillas - Page 2 recto © Portuguese State (Ministry of Culture)
The Treaty of Tordesillas - Page 2 recto
© Portuguese State (Ministry of Culture)
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