The treaty signed in 1494 that divided the New World between Spain and Portugal was the Treaty of Tordesillas. Negotiated to resolve conflicts over newly discovered lands after Columbus's voyages, the treaty established a meridian in the Atlantic Ocean, giving Spain authority over lands west of the line and Portugal control of territories to the east. This division facilitated Spanish and Portuguese colonization and exploitation of the Americas, leading to significant cultural and economic impacts on indigenous populations. The treaty exemplified European powers' competition for resources and territory in the Age of Exploration, shaping historical global dynamics.