Arguments for union with England

In the years preceding the Act of Union in 1707, there was continued debate over whether union with England would be a benefit or a hindrance to Scotland.

Arguments for union:

• Economic: Scotland would gain access to England's substantial overseas trading network.
• Political: Union could give Scotland a bigger voice in Europe. It also promised security from Jacobite rebellions.
• Defensive: Scotland would be protected by England's powerful navy and army.
• Cultural: England and Scotland shared a common language and were both Protestant countries.
• Religious: For Protestants, union protected their religious rights. Presbyterians saw union as guaranteeing their faith.

If Scotland and England were united, then Scottish merchants would gain access to English overseas colonies, markets, raw materials and financial advantages. This would mean that Scots had level competition with European rivals for trade.

Union with England might help Scotland's economy recover from the failure of the Darien Scheme.

In addition, the stability created by Union would lead landowners and farmers to invest in land improvements. A reduction in poverty in Scotland was also more likely under union.

If the wealth and living standards of people could be increased, then there would be less civil disturbances.

As part of Great Britain, Scotland and England would speak as one country, giving Scots greater standing in Europe.

Scottish representatives would be at the King’s Court in London, and therefore, English interests would not dominate when the King was receiving advice.

Anti-Jacobites supported union as it would mean that the Hanoverian succession would be secured.

Following the death of Queen Anne's last surviving child, an English Act of Settlement of 1701 settled the succession on Sophia of Hanover and her Protestant heirs.

Sophia was a granddaughter of James VI of Scotland and I of England, and Queen Anne's closest Protestant relative.

Scotland would have greater security with union. England was the most powerful country in Europe. Any chance of an invasion of Scotland by foreign powers would be reduced. This would benefit England also, as the threat of invasion of England by both Scotland and France would be lifted.

Despite wanting to remain independent, some Scots accepted that union would be a logical step. There was a common cultural interest between Scotland and England, with a shared history of language, religion, and trade.

The Presbyterian Church would remain in Scotland. For Protestants, the threat of pro-Catholic interests would be removed with Union, since the English Act of Settlement prevented future monarchs from being Catholic.

Arguments for union:

• Economic: Scotland would gain access to England's substantial overseas trading network.
• Political: Union could give Scotland a bigger voice in Europe. It also promised security from Jacobite rebellions.
• Defensive: Scotland would be protected by England's powerful navy and army.
• Cultural: England and Scotland shared a common language and religion.
• Religious: For Protestants, union protected their religious rights. Presbyterians saw union as guaranteeing their faith.