Bryan Gonzalez
IB HOA 1
Mr. Chambers
11/04/14
Brown, Stepthen R. How a Family Feud in Medieval Spain Divided the World in Half: 1494. New York: St. Martin’s Press, 2011.
The fifth teen century was the century that shaped the world as we know it. During the late fifth teen hundrerds, Columbus returned from the New World back to Spain in 1493, King Joao of Portugal wanted all the riches. But before Christopher could’ve left to the New World, he need the help from the couple Isabella and Ferdinand. Isabella’s brother tried his best to marry her to the king of Portugal but could not make it happen as she fell for Ferdinand. In the book 1494: How a Family feud in Medieval Spain Divided the World in Half by Stephen R. Bown, shows how a single relationship can separate two countries. Bown informs the reader about the relationship between Isabella and Ferdinand and effects it left on our world today, culturally, geographically and religiously.
It began with a 17 year old girl named Isabella of Castile who did not want to get married. Her brother was supposed to choose her husband but she…show more content… After the treaty was signed, Portugal kept all their lands east of the line and all the lands west were Spain’s. Portugal became rich quick from the monopoly made on the trade routes to India and the Spice Islands. On the other hand, Spain invaded and conquered the Aztec, Inca, and Mayan empires, giving Spain much gold. The incite Bown gives the reader is modern concept of the freedom of and over the seas. He also answers the geographic questions of the reasons why Brazil for example speaks Portuguese and the all of the South America speaks Spanish. It was because it belonged the to Portugal when Alexander VI made the demarcation line. Also why some Philippines practice Catholicism. The explantion was the Inquisition set up by Ferdinand and