The Papal Bull "Inter Caetera," issued by Pope Alexander VI

Document established a demarcation line east of the Azores and Cape Verde, declaring all lands 'discovered' by Columbus the year before to be exclusively claimed for the Spain and the Catholic Church. The Bull stated that any land not inhabited by Christians was available to be "discovered," claimed, and exploited by Christian rulers and declared that "the Catholic faith and the Christian religion be exalted and be everywhere increased and spread, that the health of souls be cared for and that barbarous nations be overthrown and brought to the faith itself." This "Doctrine of Discovery" became the basis of all European claims in the Americas as well as the foundation for the United States’ western expansion.