What was the purpose of the line of demarcaton?

Answer 1

The Line of Demarcation, established by the Treaty of Tordesillas in 1494, aimed to divide newly discovered lands between Spain and Portugal to resolve disputes over territories in the Americas and beyond. It was drawn west of the Cape Verde Islands, granting Spain rights to lands to the west and Portugal rights to the east. This division sought to prevent conflict between the two maritime powers as they expanded their empires during the Age of Exploration. Despite its intention, the line was not universally accepted and led to further territorial disputes.