Which treaty, signed in 1494, divided newly discovered lands between Spain and Portugal?

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The Treaty of Tordesillas, signed in 1494, was significant as it established a boundary line between the territories claimed by Spain and Portugal across the newly discovered lands of the Americas and beyond. This treaty was initiated to resolve conflicts that arose after Christopher Columbus's voyages, as both nations sought to expand their empires and influence in the New World.

The key aspect of the treaty was the demarcation line, drawn from pole to pole, which allowed Spain to claim territories to the west of the line and Portugal to claim lands to the east. This division helped prevent disputes between the two burgeoning maritime powers and laid the foundations for the colonial empires that would follow.

Other treaties mentioned, such as the Treaty of Versailles and the Treaty of Paris, pertain to different historical contexts and conflicts, while the Papal Bull Agreement, though relevant, refers to earlier papal decrees and not a formal treaty between the two countries. Thus, the Treaty of Tordesillas is distinctly recognized for its role in delineating colonial claims between Spain and Portugal.

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