Changes

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]].

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 [[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 to establish a Scottish colony in Panama in 1700 led to a wave of anti-English sentiment. At the same time, the episode exposed Scottish financial weakness and its inability to challenge English dominance effectively. In 1701, the English Parliament passed the Act of Settlement to adjust the rules of royal succession. This act made the ruler of Hanover next in line to the English throne, although he was only distantly related to the British royal family. A law enacted in 1704 provided that the Scottish Parliament would pick a successor to the Scottish throne upon Queen Anne's death. The English feared that the two thrones might pass to rival Jacobite and Hanoverian candidates. The French under [[Louis XIV]] would then back Scotland against England. 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 terms. A customs unions was agreed to, something Scottish business interests had long agitated for. The two parliaments were merged in 1707. Free trade brought prosperity, but it could not replace the Stuart monarchy in Scottish hearts. In a poem written in 1791, [[Robert Burns]] accused those responsible for union of being "a parcel of rogues" who said "fareweel our ancient glory."

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 to establish a Scottish colony in Panama in 1700 led to a wave of anti-English sentiment. At the same time, the episode exposed Scottish financial weakness and its inability to challenge English dominance effectively. In 1701, the English Parliament passed the Act of Settlement to adjust the rules of royal succession. This act made the ruler of Hanover next in line to the English throne, although he was only distantly related to the British royal family. A law enacted in 1704 provided that the Scottish Parliament would pick a successor to the Scottish throne upon Queen Anne's death. The English feared that the two thrones might pass to rival Jacobite and Hanoverian candidates. The French under [[Louis XIV]] would then back Scotland against England. 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 terms. A customs unions was agreed to, something Scottish business interests had long sought. The two parliaments were merged in 1707. Free trade brought prosperity, but it could not replace the Stuart monarchy in Scottish hearts. In a poem written in 1791, [[Robert Burns]] accused those responsible for union of being "a parcel of rogues" who said "fareweel our ancient glory."

A referendum on independence took place in 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 in 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>