Enlightenment and Empire
Scots controlled business empires on both sides of the Atlantic.
Enlightenment and Empire—A History of Scotland, Series 2, The Price of Progress
Access to the British Empire sees Scotland's trade and industry boom, but at what cost?
The Seven Years War begins—A History of Scotland, Series 2, The Price of Progress
Hailed as the first global conflict, Britain secures control of huge colonial territories in the Americas. Video: A history of Scotland: The Price of Progress.
Adam Smith studies the tobacco merchants—A History of Scotland, Series 2, The Price of Progress
Access to colonial trade brings great wealth to cities like Glasgow. Adam Smith, a rising figure of the new Scottish Enlightenment, studies the economics and morals that drive this new trade. Video: A history of Scotland: The Price of Progress.
Scots own Colonial plantations—A History of Scotland, Series 2, The Price of Progress
After years in the colonies Scots work their way up the social and business ladders and begin to run and own their own plantations. For many the dream of returning to Scotland wealthy was becoming a reality. Video: A history of Scotland: The Price of Progress.
Princeton College, America—A History of Scotland, Series 2, The Price of Progress
Paisley preacher John Witherspoon takes up post of Principle of Princeton College, New Jersey. Witherspoon brings with him the thoughts and theories of the Scottish Enlightenment and the college becomes a centre of reformist and revolutionary thought in America. Video: A history of Scotland: The Price of Progress.
Glasgow prospers from Empire trade—A History of Scotland, Series 2, The Price of Progress
Glasgow is transformed by the huge wealth generated by it’s dominance of the transatlantic tobacco trade. Scottish merchants develop a reputation as being ruthless and underhand in their pursuit of profit. Video: A history of Scotland: The Price of Progress.
The American War of Independence starts—A History of Scotland, Series 2, The Price of Progress
Tensions over taxes and political representation spill into violence as local militia clash with British troops. America’s War of Independence begins. Video: A history of Scotland: The Price of Progress.
The Wealth of Nations published—A History of Scotland, Series 2, The Price of Progress
Documenting the vast wealth accumulated by the Glasgow tobacco merchants, Adam Smith writes and publishes his influential book The Wealth of Nations. Video: A history of Scotland: The Price of Progress.
American Declaration of Independence signed—A History of Scotland, Series 2, The Price of Progress
Many of the key signatories are of Scots descent, among them John Witherspoon the Presbyterian preacher from Paisley. Contemporary historians have drawn parallels between the American Declaration and the Declaration of Arbroath. Video: A history of Scotland: The Price of Progress.
Knight versus Wedderburn—A History of Scotland, Series 2, The Price of Progress
Joseph Knight wins his case on appeal to secure his freedom from servitude to John Wedderburn. It could now be demonstrated that Scottish law did not recognise slavery. Video: A history of Scotland: The Price of Progress.
America secures its independence—A History of Scotland, Series 2, The Price of Progress
America secures its independence at the Treaty of Paris. The loss of the colonies had a significant negative effect on Scottish trade. Video: Scotland’s Empire: The Americas.
