Act of Union 1707
Topic: The Rise of Nationalism in Europe · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
The Act of Union of 1707 joined England and Scotland into one kingdom, Great Britain, with one parliament at Westminster. NCERT calls the new state the 'United Kingdom of Great Britain'. It is a key step in how the British nation-state was formed, which happened slowly rather than through a revolution. In practice, England dominated the union. Scottish culture and institutions were steadily suppressed.
Example
After the union, the Catholic clans of the Scottish Highlands were harshly put down. They were forbidden to speak their Gaelic language or wear their national dress, and many were driven out of their homeland. Ireland was later forcibly joined to the union in 1801, after the failed rising of Wolfe Tone and the United Irishmen in 1798.
Don't confuse with
- Incorporation of Ireland, 1801: this was a separate, later union that brought Ireland into the United Kingdom. The 1707 Act joined only England and Scotland.
- 1688 (Glorious Revolution): in that year the English parliament took power from the monarchy. That was not a union of countries.