Page 2: War and Trade Tensions

The tensions between Scotland and England continued to escalate due to conflicts over war involvement and trade policies:

War of Spanish Succession Scotland was drawn into the War of Spanish Succession without the Scottish Parliament being consulted. This conflict between Britain and the French and Spanish kingdoms caused further strain on Scottish-English relations.

Highlight: The lack of Scottish input in foreign policy decisions, especially regarding war, was a significant source of tension.

Act Anent Peace and War The Scottish Parliament passed the Act Anent Peace and War, which gave Scotland the power to make decisions regarding its involvement in wars independently of England. This assertion of autonomy angered England and increased tensions.

Definition: The Act Anent Peace and War was a Scottish law that aimed to give Scotland more control over its foreign policy decisions.

Wool Act of 1703 The Scottish Parliament passed the Wool Act, allowing Scotland to trade wool with countries England was at war with, such as France. This act further strained relations during the War of Spanish Succession.

Example: Scottish wool merchants could now trade with France, despite England being at war with the French, causing diplomatic tensions.

English Interference in Scottish Affairs The continued interference of English ministers, such as Lord Godolphin, in Scottish affairs angered the Scots and contributed to worsening relations.

Highlight: The perceived meddling of English officials in Scottish governance was a persistent source of resentment.

Page 3: Incidents and Royal Controversies

Several incidents and controversies involving the monarchy further damaged Scottish-English relations:

The Worcester Incident (1705) An English ship called the Worcester was seized in Scotland for alleged piracy. Despite their innocence, the crew and Captain Green were executed at Leith, drawing large crowds and revealing anti-English sentiment.

Quote: "Large crowds came to see their execution which showed evidence of mob hatred."

King William's Reign King William III was blamed for several issues that affected Scotland:

1. The 'Ill Years' (1692-97): A period of famine in Scotland, for which William was criticized for not providing enough aid.
2. Scotland's economic downfall: William's wars with France disrupted Scottish trade.
3. The Massacre of Glencoe (1692): William was held responsible for the murder of the McDonald clan by the Campbells, leading to great distrust towards the king.

Highlight: King William III's actions and policies were seen as detrimental to Scottish interests, contributing to the deterioration of relations between the two kingdoms.

Page 4: The Darien Scheme and Royal Interference

The failure of the Darien Scheme, a Scottish colonial endeavor, became a major point of contention between Scotland and England:

Assassination Plot A plot to assassinate King William in 1696 further fueled tensions between England and Scotland.

The Darien Scheme King William's actions significantly contributed to the failure of the Darien Scheme, a Scottish attempt to establish an overseas colony:

1. William encouraged English investors, who held 50% of the investment, to withdraw from the scheme.
2. He influenced Dutch investors to withdraw and Dutch companies to refuse to sell ships to the Scots.
3. William did not recognize Darien as a Scottish settlement, fearing it would compete with English colonial interests.
4. He ordered English colonists in Jamaica to refuse aid to the Scottish settlers.

Definition: The Darien Scheme was an unsuccessful attempt by Scotland to establish a colony on the Isthmus of Panama in the late 1690s.

Highlight: King William's interference in the Darien Scheme was seen as a deliberate attempt to undermine Scottish colonial ambitions, further straining relations between the two kingdoms.

These events and policies collectively contributed to the worsening relations between Scotland and England, setting the stage for the negotiations that would eventually lead to the Treaty of Union in 1707.

Page 4: The Darien Scheme and Royal Interference

The Darien Scheme's failure significantly impacted Scottish-English relations. King William's interference with the project, including discouraging English and Dutch investors, contributed to its downfall.

Definition: The Darien Scheme was Scotland's ambitious attempt to establish an overseas colony, holding 50% of the nation's capital.

Highlight: King William actively undermined the scheme by ordering English colonists in Jamaica to refuse aid to the Scottish settlers.

Page 1: Acts and Tensions

The relationship between Scotland and England worsened due to several key events and legislative actions:

Act of Settlement (1701) The English Parliament passed the Act of Settlement, establishing the Hanoverian succession for the entire kingdom without consulting the Scottish Parliament. This unilateral decision caused significant tension between the two nations.

Highlight: The Act of Settlement was a major source of conflict, as it ignored Scottish interests in determining the future monarch.

Act of Security (1703) In retaliation to the Act of Settlement, the Scottish Parliament passed the Act of Security. This act declared that Scotland would choose its own monarch, potentially leading to separate monarchies and future conflicts.

Definition: The Act of Security was a Scottish law that asserted Scotland's right to select its own monarch, separate from England's choice.

Navigation Act The English Parliament passed a Navigation Act that prevented Scotland from trading with English colonies. This economic restriction further strained relations between the two kingdoms.

Example: Scottish merchants were barred from trading with lucrative English colonies in the Americas, causing resentment and economic hardship.

Alien Act (1705) The English Parliament passed the Alien Act, threatening Scotland with economic sanctions, including a ban on exports to England, unless Scotland accepted the Hanoverian succession.

Vocabulary: Economic sanctions are punitive measures imposed by one country on another, typically to force a change in behavior or policy.