The Tordesillas Meridian divided South America into two parts, leaving a large chunk of land to be exploited by the Spain. The Treaty of Tordesillas was arguably the most important event in all Brazilian history, since it alone determined that a portion of South America would be settled by Portugal instead of Spain
The Christian precepts of mutual love and charity were also behind the development of institutions such as hospitals and orphanages, taken for granted today by many who forget their origins.
