Issue 3 - the passing of the Act of Union

Question 1

The changing attitudes of England

Answer 1

• English attitudes changed due to the legislative war as they felt as though Scotland could no longer be governed by themselves.
• This lead to them passing the Alien Act in 1705 to put pressure on Scotland for union as it stated that if they didn’t agree to union, all Scots would be treated as foreigners in England.

Question 2

The role of commissioners

Answer 2

• Queen Anne appointed 31 Scottish commissioners who were handpicked by the Duke of Queensberry and the Duke of Argyll
• this made union likely because the majority of them were in favour of union

Question 2

Amendments made to the treaty

Answer 2

• Lord Godophim passed the Act of Security of the church of Scotland in 1706 which made amendments to the articles of union that safeguarded the interests of various groups in Scotland, therefore persuading Scots that Union came with great benefits for them

Question 3

Political management (bribery and corruption)

Answer 3

• Bribes persuaded people to vote in favour of union
• For example, the Duke of Argyll got a personal reward (promotion to the rank of major - general and an English peerage) because he agreed to return from armies in Flanders in order to support the court party and support vote union.
• Corruption also made union more likely
• For example George Lockhart of Carnwarth who was an opponent of union found out about the distribution of a secret sum of £20 000 from English coffers at the time of the Union debate, therefore showing how people were bribed with money by England to support union

Question 4

The weakness of opposition