apr 1, 1494 - Treaty of Tordesillas

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The Spanish and the Portuguese signed the Treaty of Tordesillas which divided the world along an imaginary North-South line. The Spanish could claim any land west of the line while the Portuguese gained the same rights for the lands east of line. Portugal established an imperial presence in Brazil. The Portuguese king decided to consolidate his claim to Brazil when French and Dutch mariners arrived by making vast land grants to the Portuguese he hoped would develop and colonize their land holdings. Portuguese interest in Brazil rose when plantations established profitable sugar planations on the East Coast.

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