What was the purpose of the Treaty of Tordesillas?

The Treaty of Tordesillas, signed in 1494, was aimed specifically at dividing newly discovered lands outside Europe between Spain and Portugal. This agreement came about as a resolution to disputes over newly explored territories in the Americas after Christopher Columbus's voyages. The treaty established a meridian line 370 leagues west of the Cape Verde Islands, providing Spain with rights to lands to the west of this line, while Portugal received rights to lands to the east.

This division was significant in shaping the colonial boundaries and influence of both nations in the New World. It facilitated Spain's vast expansion into the Americas while allowing Portugal to focus on Africa and parts of Asia, thus promoting their respective imperial aspirations without conflict. The success of this treaty in demarcating territories significantly influenced the course of global exploration and colonization.

The other options, though related to the context of exploration and expansion, do not accurately capture the main objective of the treaty. Establishing a trade route, promoting expedition funding, and designating missionary boundaries were not the primary focuses of the Treaty of Tordesillas, which was fundamentally about the allocation of lands between the two powers.