What Did the Treaty of Madrid State?

By Robert Palmer

The Treaty of Madrid, also known as the Treaty of Friendship and Alliance, was signed on January 5, 1750, between Spain and Portugal. This treaty aimed to resolve the dispute between the two countries over their respective territories in South America. Let’s dive deeper into what this treaty stated.

Background

Spain and Portugal both claimed territories in South America during the sixteenth century. However, their claims overlapped, leading to disputes and conflicts. In 1494, the Treaty of Tordesillas attempted to resolve this issue by dividing South America into two parts, with Spain getting the west and Portugal getting the east.

However, as time passed, new territories were discovered that fell outside of these agreed-upon boundaries. This led to further disputes between Spain and Portugal.

The Treaty of Madrid

The Treaty of Madrid was an attempt to settle these disputes once and for all. The treaty established a new border between Spanish and Portuguese territory in South America. It also recognized Portuguese control over territories that had previously been disputed.

One of the key provisions of the treaty was that Spain gave up its claim to the Banda Oriental region (modern-day Uruguay), which it had previously occupied. In exchange for giving up this territory, Portugal ceded control of seven Jesuit missions in what is now Brazil.

Impact

The Treaty of Madrid had several significant impacts on both countries involved. For Portugal, it secured their territorial claims in South America and provided a sense of stability and security for their colonies there.

For Spain, giving up its claim to Banda Oriental was a significant loss. However, it also helped prevent further conflicts with Portugal over this region.

The treaty also helped establish a precedent for resolving territorial disputes through diplomacy rather than force. This approach would be used in future treaties between European powers as they continued to expand their empires around the world.

Conclusion

The Treaty of Madrid was a crucial agreement that helped resolve longstanding territorial disputes between Spain and Portugal in South America. It established a new border, recognized Portuguese control over disputed territories, and set a precedent for resolving conflicts through diplomacy rather than force. The treaty’s impact can still be felt today, as it helped shape the modern borders of several South American countries.