Scotland - Arguments Against Union Flashcards
1
Q
Why did extreme Presbyterians oppose union?
A
- Extreme Presbyterians opposed the union as they did not support bishops in churches or the monarch being recognised as head of the church.
2
Q
Why did Catholics oppose union?
A
- Catholics opposed the union as its success would secure the protestant religion and protestant succession.
3
Q
Why did Episcopalians oppose union?
A
- Episcopalians opposed union as the union guaranteed Scottish
Presbyterianism/ Protestant succession.
4
Q
Why were Scots opposed to England’s taxation?
A
- Scots were opposed to increased taxation that would have a burden on the weak economy.
- English taxes were higher due to high national debt and maintenance costs of their empire union meant the Scots would bear the burden of these higher taxes.
5
Q
Why did Scots fear competition from English Merchants?
A
- Scots feared competition from more advanced English merchants who were able to produce goods of better quality and for lower prices eg. shoe making and linen.
6
Q
Why were Scots were concerned that they would lose sovereignty?
A
- Scots were concerned that they would lose sovereignty.
- The loss of the Scottish parliament through union would mean a loss of Scottish independence.
7
Q
Why were Scots worried about losing their cultural distinctiveness?
A
- Scots were worried about losing their cultural distinctiveness in a union with England and would simply become ‘part of England’ (Scotlandshire)
8
Q
Why did Scot’s fear negative impacts on their laws and liberties?
A
- With no parliament or ‘official Scottish monarchy as a result of union, some Scots feared the potential negative impacts on Scottish laws and liberties.
9
Q
Why were Scots opposed to elements of the English Economy?
A
- Scots were opposed to elements of the English economy being given priority e.g. currency, systems of weights/measurements.
10
Q
Why were Scots opposed to union for underrepresentation?
A
- Some Scots were opposed to union as they thought Scotland would be underrepresented in a British parliament with majority English MPs (45 compared to 513).
- There was a concern that a British Parliament would be dominated by English business and trade interests
