7. Describe the impact of the Line of Demarcation and the Treaty of Tordesillas on the division of territories between Spain and Portugal.

The Line of Demarcation and the Treaty of Tordesillas had a significant impact on the division of territories between Spain and Portugal. The Line of Demarcation was established in 1493 by Pope Alexander VI, which divided the newly discovered lands outside Europe between Spain and Portugal along a meridian 370 leagues west of the Cape Verde islands. This line gave Spain rights to any new lands discovered to the west of the line, while Portugal had rights to any lands discovered to the east.<br /><br />The Treaty of Tordesillas, signed in 1494, further defined the division of territories between the two countries. The treaty moved the Line of Demarcation 270 leagues to the west, giving Spain rights to any new lands discovered to the west of the new line, while Portugal had rights to any lands discovered to the east. This treaty was signed due to disputes between Spain and Portugal over the interpretation of the Line of Demarcation and the lands it encompassed.<br /><br />The impact of the Line of Demarcation and the Treaty of Tordesillas was significant in shaping the colonial empires of Spain and Portugal. The division of territories allowed both countries to claim and colonize vast amounts of land in the Americas, Africa, and Asia. This led to the establishment of Spanish and Portuguese colonies, the spread of Christianity, and the exploitation of indigenous peoples and resources.<br /><br />However, the division of territories also led to conflicts and tensions between Spain and Portugal, as both countries sought to expand their empires and control over new lands. The Treaty of Tordesillas helped to resolve some of these conflicts, but disputes over the interpretation of the treaty and the lands it encompassed continued throughout the colonial period.<br /><br />Overall, the Line of Demarcation and the Treaty of Tordesillas had a profound impact on the division of territories between Spain and Portugal, shaping the colonial empires of both countries and the course of history in the Americas, Africa, and Asia.