Document D Historical Context: Following Christopher Columbus' voyage to the Western Hemisphere, both Spain and Portugal
attempted to claim the land that had not previously belonged to a Catholic nation. As Christopher Columbus had
discovered this land for Spain, the Spanish monarchy was angry at Portugal. King Ferdinand II and Queen Isabella, of
Spain, asked the pope to resolve the dispute. Pope Alexander VI issued the Bull of Demarcation, a document granting
Spain permission to claim all non-Christian land located to the west of an imaginary line known as the Line of
Demarcation, Portugal was entitled to claim the land to the east of the line. Upon further exploration Portugal appealed
the location of the line, which essentially granted them no land to claim in the Western Hemisphere. The line was
moved by the pope under the Treaty of Tordesillas, allowing Portugal to claim the land now known as Brazil. Below and
on the next two slides is an excerpt from the Demarcation Bull, granting Spain possession of lands discovered by
Columbus, 1493.
"Among other works well pleasing to the Divine Majesty and cherished of our heart,
this assuredly ranks highest, that in our time especially the Catholic faith and the
Christian religion be exalted and be everywhere increased and spread, that the
health of souls be cared for and that barbarous nations be overthrown and brought
to faith itself.