GEO Epoche / GEO Epoche 97/2019 - Der Kolonialismus

It is perhaps the most presumptuous document in history: In the Treaty of Tordesillas, Spain and Portugal decide in 1494 to divide the entire world between them. An invisible line now separates the globe approximately along the 46th degree of west longitude. East of this line, the king of small Portugal is allowed to claim and keep all newly discovered lands forever, while all territories west of the line will henceforth belong to the crowns of Castile and Aragon. This megalomaniacal agreement was mediated by Pope Alexander VI, a Spaniard. With this act of arrogance, the age of colonialism begins - the European subjugation of the globe. From now on, year after year, explorers and adventurers from rival nations, merchants, and conquistadors, as well as missionaries, will set sail from the continent's ports. Initially, it is primarily the Spaniards and Portuguese who seize ever larger portions of foreign lands. But soon, the Dutch, French, English, Danes, and eventually Belgians, Germans, and Italians will follow. Driven mostly by greed for power and wealth, they conquer North and South America, Australia, almost all of Africa, and vast areas of Asia. They plunder natural resources in many places and subjugate or enslave the indigenous populations.