Acts of Union 1707

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The Acts of Union 1707 were a pair of parliamentary acts passed by the Parliament of England and the Parliament of Scotland that led to the creation of the Kingdom of Great Britain. These acts were the result of negotiations between the two kingdoms, which had shared a monarch since the Union of the Crowns in 1603 but remained separate sovereign states.

Background

The union of the crowns in 1603, when James VI of Scotland inherited the English throne as James I of England, laid the groundwork for political union. However, the two countries maintained separate parliaments and legal systems. The idea of a full political union was proposed several times over the next century but faced significant opposition.

Negotiations

Negotiations for the union began in earnest in the early 18th century, driven by economic, political, and security concerns. The Treaty of Union was agreed upon in 1706, outlining the terms for the unification of the two kingdoms. The treaty was then ratified by both the English and Scottish parliaments through the Acts of Union.

Provisions

The Acts of Union 1707 had several key provisions:

• The creation of a single Parliament of Great Britain.
• The establishment of a unified Kingdom of Great Britain.
• The continuation of separate legal systems for Scotland and England.
• The preservation of the Church of Scotland and the Church of England.
• The introduction of a common market and customs union.

Impact

The Acts of Union had profound effects on both Scotland and England. Economically, the union opened up new markets and opportunities for trade. Politically, it centralized power in the new Parliament of Great Britain. Culturally, it led to a blending of traditions and identities, although it also sparked resistance and movements for Scottish independence.

Legacy

The Acts of Union 1707 remain a significant milestone in British history. They laid the foundation for the modern United Kingdom and influenced subsequent acts of union, such as the Acts of Union 1800 that united Great Britain and Ireland.

Related Pages

• Union of the Crowns
• Parliament of England
• Parliament of Scotland
• Kingdom of Great Britain
• Treaty of Union
• Acts of Union 1800

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