Lesson

Treaty of Tordesillas Divides African Coastal Access Between Europe

Bridge-in

You may already know that European powers raced to claim overseas territories in the late 15th century. The Treaty of Tordesillas was one of the first formal agreements to divide these overseas claims between two emerging imperial powers, and it had lasting effects on how European trade and settlement spread along the African coast.

Objective

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to explain how the 1494 Treaty of Tordesillas allocated spheres of influence between Spain and Portugal along the African coast.

Pre-check — warm-up, not graded

Which two European kingdoms were the primary competitors in establishing overseas trade and exploration routes during the late 15th century?

Spain and Portugal

Content

In 1494, Spain and Portugal signed the Treaty of Tordesillas to resolve disputes over newly claimed overseas territories following Christopher Columbus's 1492 voyage. The treaty established a demarcation line running north to south approximately 370 leagues west of the Cape Verde islands, assigning lands to the west of the line to Spain and lands to the east to Portugal. This division gave Portugal exclusive rights to trade and settlement along much of the western African coast, including areas around the Gold Coast and beyond, while Spain focused on territories further west across the Atlantic. The agreement reinforced Portugal's existing coastal presence established through earlier voyages and forts, such as Elmina Castle, and prevented direct competition between the two powers in Africa. By formalizing Portuguese dominance along the eastern side of the line, the treaty shaped the pattern of European coastal trading networks on the African continent for the next century. The treaty's terms were later confirmed and adjusted by subsequent papal and diplomatic agreements, but the 1494 accord remained the foundational document dividing European overseas influence.

Post-check — self-check

According to the Treaty of Tordesillas, which direction from the Cape Verde islands did the demarcation line run, and which power gained control of African coastal regions to the east of it?

The demarcation line ran approximately 370 leagues west of the Cape Verde islands, and Portugal gained control of African coastal regions to the east of it.

Summary

The 1494 Treaty of Tordesillas divided overseas territories between Spain and Portugal using a north-to-south demarcation line about 370 leagues west of the Cape Verde islands. This arrangement granted Portugal control over African coastal regions to the east of the line, shaping European trading networks along the continent.

According to the Treaty of Tordesillas, where was the demarcation line established in relation to the Cape Verde islands, and which European power gained control of African coastal regions to the east of it?