The major consequence of the Treaty of Tordesillas in 1494 was the division of newly discovered lands outside Europe between Spain and Portugal. This treaty, negotiated to reduce rivalry between the two nations, established a demarcation line that allowed Spain to claim territories west of the line, while Portugal was granted rights to lands east of it. This agreement significantly influenced the patterns of colonial expansion, leading to Spanish dominance in much of South America and Portuguese control over parts of Africa and Asia. The treaty's impact shaped the geopolitical landscape of the Americas and the global balance of power for centuries.