Revolution and the Birth of Empire · Summer Term

The Act of Union 1707

How England and Scotland became the United Kingdom of Great Britain.

About This Topic

The Act of Union in 1707 was a landmark event that merged the parliaments of England and Scotland to create the United Kingdom of Great Britain. This topic explores the economic and political reasons behind the union, from the disastrous failure of Scotland's Darien Scheme to England's fear of a Jacobite alliance with France. Students investigate the intense opposition to the union in Scotland and its long-term impact on national identity.

This unit is essential for understanding the formation of the modern UK. It aligns with National Curriculum targets on the development of Church, State, and Society. This topic comes alive when students can physically 'negotiate' the terms of the union, weighing the loss of independence against the promise of economic prosperity.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze the primary economic motivations for Scotland's agreement to the Act of Union in 1707.
• Compare the political arguments presented by both English and Scottish proponents and opponents of the Union.
• Evaluate the immediate and long-term consequences of the Act of Union on Scottish governance and cultural identity.
• Explain the role of the Darien Scheme's failure in influencing Scotland's decision to pursue union with England.

Before You Start

The English Civil War and the Restoration

Why: Understanding the political instability and the role of monarchy in England provides context for England's later desire for a more stable union.

The Stuart Dynasty

Why: Knowledge of the Stuart monarchs and their reigns is essential for grasping the political landscape and the concept of Jacobitism.

Key Vocabulary

Act of Union	The legislative agreement passed in 1707 that united the Kingdom of England and the Kingdom of Scotland into a single state, the Kingdom of Great Britain.
Darien Scheme	A failed Scottish attempt to establish a colony in the Isthmus of Panama in the late 17th century, which led to significant financial losses for Scotland.
Parliament	The supreme legislative body of the United Kingdom, formed in 1707 by the merging of the English and Scottish Parliaments.
Jacobitism	A political movement in Great Britain that aimed to restore the Stuart dynasty to the throne after the Glorious Revolution of 1688.

Active Learning Ideas

Simulation Game: The Darien Scheme Disaster

Students act as Scottish investors in the Darien Scheme. They experience the failure of the colony and the loss of their money, helping them understand why Scotland was in such a desperate economic position that it had to consider union with England.

⏱ 40 min·Small Groups

Generate mission

Inquiry Circle: The Articles of Union

Small groups examine the 25 articles of the Act of Union. They identify what Scotland 'gave up' (its Parliament) and what it 'kept' (its legal system and church), discussing whether this was a fair trade.

⏱ 35 min·Small Groups

Generate mission

Think-Pair-Share: 'A Parcel of Rogues'?

Pairs discuss Robert Burns's famous quote about the Scottish politicians who signed the union. They debate whether these men were 'bought and sold for English gold' or if they were making a brave choice for Scotland's future.

⏱ 20 min·Pairs

Generate mission

Real-World Connections

Historians specializing in British political history at institutions like the National Archives in Kew analyze primary source documents from 1707 to understand the nuances of the parliamentary debates.

Economists studying the impact of trade agreements might compare the economic outcomes of the Act of Union to modern trade deals between nations, considering factors like market access and investment.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Scotland and England became one country in 1603.

What to Teach Instead

In 1603, they shared a King (Union of the Crowns), but they remained separate countries with their own Parliaments and laws. A 'two parliaments vs. one' diagram helps students see the difference between 1603 and 1707.

Common Misconception

The Union was popular in Scotland.

What to Teach Instead

It was actually very unpopular with the ordinary people, leading to riots in Edinburgh and Glasgow. A 'protest poster' activity helps students see the strength of Scottish opposition to the loss of their independence.

Assessment Ideas

Exit Ticket

Students write two sentences explaining one economic reason Scotland agreed to the Union and one political reason England desired it. They should use at least two key vocabulary terms.

Discussion Prompt

Pose the question: 'If you were a Scottish landowner in 1705, would you vote for or against the Union? Justify your decision using arguments about trade, security, and national pride.' Facilitate a class debate where students take on different roles.

Quick Check

Present students with three short statements about the Act of Union, two true and one false. Ask students to identify the false statement and explain why it is incorrect, referencing specific historical events or motivations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the Darien Scheme?

This was an ambitious attempt by Scotland to set up its own colony in Panama in the 1690s. It was a total disaster due to disease, Spanish attacks, and a lack of English support. Scotland lost about a quarter of its total wealth, leaving the country nearly bankrupt and more open to union with England.

Why did England want the Union?

England was at war with France and was terrified that Scotland might choose a different, Catholic king (a Jacobite) after Queen Anne died. A union would secure the Protestant succession and prevent Scotland from being used as a 'back door' for a French invasion.

What did Scotland gain from the Act of Union?

Scotland gained free trade with England and its growing empire, which eventually led to great wealth during the Industrial Revolution. It also kept its own unique legal system, its education system, and the Presbyterian Church of Scotland.

How can active learning help students understand the Act of Union?

Active learning, such as the 'Darien Scheme' simulation, helps students understand the economic desperation that often drives political change. By experiencing the 'failure' of the colony, they see that the Union wasn't just a choice about identity, but a survival strategy. This student-centered approach makes the complex political and economic motivations of 1707 much more accessible and engaging.