Issue 2 - Arguments for and Against Union

Question 1

Supporters of Union

Answer 1

Scottish:
Ogilvy - leader of Court Party
Duke of Queensbury - Preceded Ogilvy as leader
John Clerk of Penicuik - Commissioner Union negotiations
William Seton of Pitmedden - Commissioner
Earl of Roxburgh - Switched sides

English:
Lord Godolphin - High Treasurer
Daniel Defoe

Question 2

Opponents of Union

Answer 2

Scottish:
Duke of Hamilton - Leader of Country Party
Andrew Fletcher - Country Part member
Lord Belhaven - Darien Company director. Country party

Question 3

Arguments for Union

Answer 3

Economic:
Scottish economy was poor (Darien Scheme).
Union gave them access to free commerce with English colonies, which Navigation Acts had prevented.

Political:
Scotland offered better protection
They shared common interests - culture, religion.
Scots feared military invasion by England

Succession:
Would secure Hanoverian succession.
Protects Scottish Protestants
Never passed back to Stuart Dynasty

Religion:
Act of Settlement would be achieved.
No Roman Catholic could become monarch.
Threat of popery reduced

Social:
Scotland were falling behind European rivals economically.
Farmers losing homes.
Less oppression of Scottish people

Question 4

Arguments against Union

Answer 4

Economic:
Increased taxes
English trade favoured
Scottish industry ruined as England had better quality and lower cost.
Lose out on trade due to English interests

Political:
Independent sovereignty would be sacrificed
Scottish independence was held dear and Union would be dishonourable.
Scotland enslaved to English interests
Wales example that Union didn’t improve trade

Succession:
Scottish identity threatened as end to Stuart line.

Religious:
English domination in religious affairs.
Danger that Presbyterian church would disappear as many in English Parliament favoured Episcopalian church

Social:
No guarantee the England would safeguard Scottish tradition
Public opinion was against Union