Latest / The History of Portugal: The Small Nation That Built a Global Empire — Fexingo History
The Treaty of Tordesillas: How Portugal Divided the World
In 1494, two Catholic monarchs drew a line on a map and split the entire globe between their empires. This episode explores the Treaty of Tordesillas, the diplomatic maneuver that allowed Portugal to secure its route around Africa and claim Brazil, while Spain turned westward. We examine how Pope Alexander VI’s initial bull was rejected by King João II of Portugal, leading to secret negotiations in Spain. You will hear about the role of navigators like Pedro Álvares Cabral, who accidentally stumbled upon Brazil just east of the new demarcation line, and how this arbitrary meridian shaped…
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