The impact of union to 1715Political effects of the Union
The Treaty of Union had both positive and negative impacts for Scotland until 1715. Some industries benefited from the union, while others suffered from English trade competition and higher taxes.
Scotland was governed differently after Union. The Scottish Privy Council was abolished in 1708. A new position of Scottish Secretary of State in London was created.
The Jacobite threat
The government found it difficult to control the Highlands, so JacobiteThe Jacobites were the supporters of King James VII (of Scotland) and II (of England) and his heirs. opposition to Union in the Highlands continued. The English Treason Law was applied in Scotland from 1709 onwards.
Feelings of injustice
Some English and Scottish politicians felt that the other’s country benefited more from Union. Scots legal experts were frustrated that from 1712 the House of Lords in London was the Court of Appeal for Scottish cases. This led to “miscarriages of justice” caused by a lack of understanding of Scots law by English judges.
Scots landowners with English titles were angry in 1711 when they were prevented from taking their seats in the House of Lords.
Threats to Union
In 1713, with the economic advantages of Union still to be felt across the country, there was a proposal in Parliament to reverse the Act of Union, which was only narrowly defeated.
This led to British Government, although dominated by English Ministers, taking increased care not to offend Scotland in the future.
