Feedback
What do you think about us?
Your name
Your email
Message
The Treaty of Alcáçovas, signed in 1479, ended the War of the Castilian Succession and shaped the Age of Exploration. It established spheres of influence for Portugal and Castile, leading to Portugal's control over African trade and the Atlantic slave trade, while affirming Spanish sovereignty over Castile and the Canary Islands. This treaty was a catalyst for worldwide colonization, influencing the rise of European empires.
Show More
The Treaty of Alcáçovas marked the end of the War of the Castilian Succession and set the stage for future European colonialism
Key Figures in the Treaty
King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Castile, along with King Afonso V and Prince John of Portugal, were key figures in the negotiations of the Treaty of Alcáçovas
The Treaty of Alcáçovas reflected the distinct interests of Portugal and Castile, securing economic prosperity for Portugal and political unification for Spain
The Treaty of Alcáçovas granted Portugal exclusive rights to navigate and colonize Africa, including the lucrative slave trade
Portuguese Monopoly on the Slave Trade
The treaty established a Portuguese monopoly on the slave trade in Africa, leading to a dramatic increase in the trafficking of enslaved Africans
Spanish Sovereignty over the Canary Islands
In exchange for recognizing Portuguese claims in Africa, Spain gained uncontested sovereignty over the Canary Islands
The Treaty of Alcáçovas delineated separate spheres of influence for Portugal and Castile, shaping their respective imperial strategies
The Treaty of Alcáçovas yielded significant benefits for both Portugal and Castile, including economic prosperity and political unification
Portugal's Role in the Atlantic Trading System
The treaty solidified Portugal's role as a leading maritime power and established Spain as a unified nation, setting the stage for their respective global empires
European Colonial Expansion
The division of the world between Portugal and Castile in the Treaty of Alcáçovas laid the groundwork for centuries of European global dominance