Issue 3: The passing of the act of union

Question 1

Reason 1: Changing attitudes of england

Answer 1

• The legislative war made england believed that scotland was unfit to govern itself.
• They passed the alien act, which treated scot’s as foreigners, unless a full negotiation of union were to take place.

Question 2

Reason 2: The role of the commissioners

Answer 2

• Surprisingly, the duke of hamilton allowed Queen Anne to chose the commissioners, which ended up being predominantly pro unionists.
• Lockhart of Carnwath ended up being the only anti unionist apart of the 31 scottish commissioners, and he strong,y believed the had been left out of multiple important stages on the negotiations.

Question 3

Reason 3: Changes made to the treaties

Answer 3

• they debated the 25 acts in october 1706
• there were 91 petitions which expressed opposition to the treaty.
• by november, they had amended and accepted 4/25 of the acts. The amendments made ensured union would be more likely.

Question 4

Reason 4: Political management

Answer 4

• John clerk of penicuik was awarded for supporting union, and was made barron of the scottish court of exchequer, allowing him a comfortable and relaxed lifestyle
• Lockhart of carnwath found out about a £20,000 distribution which had been made during the treaty negotiations, from the english supporters.
• The equivalent was an official bribe of £26 million in todays money, which was meant to be compensation for scottish debt as a result of the english actions. This was apart of the act of union and likely pushed people into accepting it. It’s also argued this was what bribed the squadrone volante to support union.

Question 5

Reason 5: Weakness to the opposition

Answer 5

• the country party and the jacobite’s both opposed union but as the country party supported presbyterianism, and jacobites wanted a catholic monarchy.
• this meant they were never able to cooperate with one another, so things like uprisings against union were never organised
• the duke of hamilton leadership in the opposition was very weak as he always made contradictions and people questioned whether pt not he was actually against union.

Question 6

Reason 6: English intimidation

Answer 6

• union created a fear of english invasion
• English troops surrounded the borders during the negotiations, and scot’s were scared if they rejected union, they would be at war.
• it was also feared that england might reintroduce the alien act.