The significant consequence of the Treaty of Tordesillas, signed in 1494, was the division of newly discovered lands outside Europe between Portugal and Spain. This treaty aimed to resolve disputes over territorial claims following Columbus's voyages to the Americas. By establishing a meridian line, lands to the west were allotted to Spain and those to the east to Portugal. This division directly affected the colonial empires of both nations and shaped global trade routes. It also led to the spread of European influence and culture across the globe, with lasting implications for indigenous populations in colonized regions.