Changes

====Union with England====

====Union with England====

After the death of Queen [[Elizabeth I]] of England in 1603, James VI of Scotland ascended to the Throne of England, becoming [[James I]] of England. He was the first monarch to call himself King of Great Britain. This is referred to as the Union of the Crowns. James was also at this time King of [[Ireland]].

After the death of Queen [[Elizabeth I]] of England in 1603, James VI of Scotland ascended to the throne of England, becoming [[James I]] of England. This is referred to as the union of the crowns. James was also at this time king of [[Ireland]].

The Parliaments of Scotland and [[England]] were not united until 1707 and it is this date that is recognized as the formation of [[Great Britain]]. This is referred to as the Union of the Parliaments. (The [[United Kingdom]] was to come into being with the addition of [[Ireland]] in 1801.) The formation of the Irish Free State in 1922 resulted in the current name of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

The Glorious Revolution of 1688 made parliament supreme, and King William III neglected Scotland. The social and economic problems of this period were thrown into the lap of the inexperienced Scottish parliament, historically a tool of the crown. The failure of the Darien Scheme in 1700 to establish a Scottish colony in Panama led to a wave of anti-English sentiment. In 1701, the English parliament passed the Act of Settlement adjusting the rules of royal succession. A law enacted in 1704 provided that the Scottish Parliament would pick a successor to the Scottish throne upon Queen Anne's death. This sparked fears that the throne could pass to a pro-French Jacobite. The English army, led by Marlborough at this time, included many Scottish soldiers. The English parliament demanded that Scotland agree to union and threatened sanctions in 1705. Scotland capitulated and a joint commission was set up to iron out the terms of union. The parliaments of the two countries were united in 1707.

A referendum on Independence took place on the 18th of September 2014 to determine whether Scotland will become an Independent Country. Most people wanted to stay in the [[United Kingdom]].<ref>http://www.bbc.com/news/events/scotland-decides/results</ref>

A referendum on Independence took place on the 18th of September 2014 to determine whether Scotland will become an Independent Country. Most people wanted to stay in the [[United Kingdom]].<ref>http://www.bbc.com/news/events/scotland-decides/results</ref>