The Treaty of Tordesillas and the (Re)Invention of International Law in the Age of Discovery

Abstract

This paper aims to investigate some of the main features of sixteenth century international law in order to challenge traditional international law foundations. By exploring concrete cases, and indicating situations in which state and non-state actors resorted to international norms in order to promote trade and celebrate peace treaties, it is inquired whether some pre-Westphalia international trade and warfare practices may be defined as the beginning of “modern” international law.

Keywords: International law; History; Tordesillas treaty; Trade; Warfare; Colonialism

JEL Classification: F1, K33, P1