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What were the long-term implications of the Treaty of Tordesillas?

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Final answer:

The Treaty of Tordesillas had profound implications, resulting in the establishment of Spanish and Portuguese colonial empires, the rise of Brazil as a Portuguese territory, and future geopolitical and cultural shifts. It also spurred other European nations to pursue their colonial endeavors, shaping the global colonial landscape.

Step-by-step explanation:

The long-term implications of the Treaty of Tordesillas extended far beyond its immediate impact on Spanish and Portuguese territorial divides. The agreement, drawn in 1494, gave birth to colonial spheres that laid the groundwork for future global geopolitics. Portugal's renegotiation secured its claim to present-day Brazil, fostering a unique cultural and linguistic enclave within the Americas. As a result, the treaty facilitated the rise of Portuguese and Spanish colonial empires, influencing culture, trade, and geopolitics. Moreover, the Treaty of Zaragoza in 1529 was a response to the ambiguous division of territories in the east established by the Treaty of Tordesillas. Even though Spain did not secure the Spice Islands, the Philippines became an essential Spanish base for Asian trade. The treaties created a foundation for the European colonization pattern and dictated the flow of wealth from colonies for centuries, often at the expense of indigenous populations. These agreements also spurred other European powers like England, France, and the Netherlands to pursue their colonial ambitions, disregarding the treaties as they were not bound by the Papal decisions that sanctioned them.

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