The War of the Spanish Succession (1701-1714) was a major European conflict triggered by the death of the childless King Charles II of Spain. His will left the Spanish throne to Philip of Anjou, a grandson of King Louis XIV of France, which alarmed other European powers. They feared that a union of France and Spain would upset the balance of power. The war involved several coalitions, primarily the Grand Alliance, which included England, the Dutch Republic, and the Holy Roman Empire. The conflict ended with the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713, which redistributed territories and established a new balance of power in Europe.