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Treaty of Union - Issue 3 - Passing of the Act of Union (Political (Duke…
Treaty of Union - Issue 3 - Passing of the Act of Union
Political
Squadrone Volante
They were the swing vote in the Scottish Parliament changing sides throughout the debate but eventually voted in favour of Union with the Court Party.
The Squadrone Volante wanted Hanoverian succession and were told that they would be able to control the Equivalent which is why they voted yes.
Duke of Hamilton's Poor Leadership
The Duke of Hamilton's job was to unite the opposition to union and divide the supporters for union. He failed at this and ended up allowing Queen Anne to choose the Commissioners who would discuss the terms of union.
Queen Anne chose entirely pro-Union men for these negotiations bar one which made it hard for those who opposed union to disrupt them and try to prevent it from happening. This helped the union be passed in the Scottish parliament.
The reason that the Duke of Hamilton may have allowed Queen Anne to do this was because he was looking for a promotion.
Disagreement Among the Opposition
The Country Party and the Jacobites were both opposed to the idea of union but disagreed on things such as the Hanoverian succession. The Country Party were willing to accept it whereas the Jacobites were not,
Due to the lack of agreement between these groups, it stopped them from being able to fight against union together making it easier for union to be passed.
Representation in British Parliament
England had allowed Scotland to have 16 peers in the House of Lords and 45 MPs in the House of Commons.
This was seen as generous amount and more than Scotland had thought they'd receive which helped relieve fears of under-representation in the new parliament which helped union to pass.
Economic
Taxation
Taxation after union was a big concern for many Scots. However, the English added a few last minute amendments to the treaty which gave Scotland tax exemptions on several items such as salt, wool and liquor for a number of years.
This made many MPs less concerned about tax and convinced them that the union would help Scottish industry and not hurt it due to taxation which helped the treaty pass.
Bribery
£20,000 was paid to various Scottish politicians before the vote on union.
Many people see this as a bribe which made them vote yes, however most of the money was given to MPs who already supported union and some people who received the money didn't vote for union anyway.
Equivalent
The was a large sum of money (£398,085.10s) given to Scotland from England as compensation for taking on English debts.
Many politicians who had lost money in the Darien Scheme saw it as an opportunity to get their money back. This made them support union and helped it pass.
Social
Status of Nobility
The rights of burghs and royal burghs were to remain as was the inherited offices for Lords. Scottish peers were also to retain privileges such as immunity from arrest, civil process, debt, etc.
These made the Scottish nobility less fearful of Union which made it easier to pass through parliament.
Law and Order
Scottish Courts and Laws were to remain untouched after union.
This assured many Scots that they would still have control of their own country and made them feel like they weren't giving all their power to the English. This increased support helped pass union.
Military
Liberty and Stability
If Scotland accepts union it would secure their liberties and keep them stable as they will be protected by both the Scottish and English armies under one parliament.
This security was appealing to many Scots and made them support the union which helped it pass.
Fear of English Invasion
During a debate on the union in the Scottish Parliament, England had placed two large armies on the border between England and Scotland and in Ireland.
England had previously invaded Ireland and made it into a province. Scots didn't want this to happen to them. This move by England made it even more likely that if Scotland didn't accept union then they would have to fight England. This intimated many Scots into voting in favour of union.
Civil War
Forming Great Britain would secure peace for Scotland and England and removed the threat of civil war.
The removal of this threat was very appealing and made Scots support union.
Religion
Act of Security for the Kirk
This act allowed the Church of Scotland to continue without any influence from the English.
Many Presbyterians were concerned about the future of their religion under union and this act was enough to convince them that they would be fine and made them support the union.