Conclusion

Following the Treaty of Tordesillas (1494), Spain and Portugal divided the world between them along a North-South meridian, 370 leagues (925 miles) west of the Cape Verde Islands (46° 37’ W). All that fell to the west of this meridian was allocated to Spain; to the east, to Portugal. The western route to the mythical lands of Cathay (China) was only for the use of Spain, the Portuguese had to take the eastern route. Once they made it to the Malacca Straits, the Portuguese Crown equipped several fleets with the aim of invading China. China would be to Portugal what America was to Spain: a new worldwide empire. All attempts to land failed. Following the last, in Canton, all crewmen including the ship’s chaplain were executed. As opposed to America, China was a united country, ruled by a competent bureaucracy, protected by professional armies and local militias.