The impact of the Treaty of Utrecht on Spain's colonial ambitions was detrimental, resulting in a decline of its global power. Signed in 1713, the treaty ended the War of Spanish Succession, forcing Spain to cede territories and diminishing its influence. The treaty signified a shift in the European balance of power, allowing other nations, especially Britain and France, to expand their empires at Spain's expense. This loss of territories and prestige marked the beginning of a gradual decline for Spain, impacting its ability to compete in the colonial race in the subsequent centuries.