The impact of the unionPolitical 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 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 Jacobite opposition to Union in the Highlands continued. The English Treason Law was applied in Scotland from 1709 onwards.
Feelings of unfairness
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.
Scots landowners with English titles could not sit in the House of Lords from 1711.
Threats to Union
In 1713, there was a proposal in Parliament to reverse the Act of Union, which was only narrowly defeated.
