Why I love my job- we are doing this in economics class tomorrow: What could be The Economic Results of Scottish Independence? Form a Group of 4-5. A recorder, 2-3 presenters, an artistic component and share your ideas with the class. The Wars of Scottish Independence were a series of military campaigns fought between the Kingdom of Scotland and the Kingdom of England in the late 13th and early 14th centuries. The First War (1296?1328) began with the English invasion of Scotland in 1296, and ended with the signing of the Treaty of Edinburgh-Northampton in 1328. The Second War (1332?1357) began with the English-supported invasion by Edward Balliol and the Disinherited in 1332, and ended in 1357 with the signing of the Treaty of Berwick. The wars were part of a great national crisis for Scotland and the period became one of the most defining times in the nations history. At the end of both wars, Scotland retained its status as an independent nation. The wars were important for other reasons, such as the emergence of the longbow as a key weapon in medieval warfare. Sir William Wallace (modern Scottish Gaelic: Uilleam Uallas; c. 1270 ? 23 August 1305) was a Scottish landowner who became one of the main leaders during the Wars of Scottish Independence. Along with Andrew Moray, Wallace defeated an English army at the Battle of Stirling Bridge in September 1297, and was appointed Guardian of Scotland, serving until his defeat at the Battle of Falkirk in July 1298. In August 1305 Wallace was captured in Robroyston near Glasgow and handed over to King Edward I of England, who had him hanged, drawn, and quartered for high treason and crimes against English civilians. Since his death, Wallace has obtained an iconic status far beyond his homeland. He is the protagonist of the 15th-century epic poem The Wallace, by Blind Harry. Wallace is also the subject of literary works by Sir Walter Scott and Jane Porter and of the 1995 Mel Gibson Academy Award-winning film Braveheart. In 1603, the kingdoms of England, Scotland and Ireland were united in a personal union when James VI, King of Scots, inherited the crowns of England and Ireland and moved his court from Edinburgh to London; each country nevertheless remained a separate political entity and retained its separate political, legal, and religious institutions. In the mid-17th century, all three kingdoms were involved in a series of connected wars (including the English Civil War) which led to the temporary overthrow of the monarchy and the establishment of the short-lived unitary republic of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland and Ireland led by Oliver Cromwell. Although the monarchy was restored, it ensured (with the Glorious Revolution of 1688) that, unlike much of the rest of Europe, royal absolutism would not prevail, and a professed Catholic could never accede to the throne. The British constitution would develop on the basis of constitutional monarchy and the parliamentary system. During this period, particularly in England, the development of naval power (and the interest in voyages of discovery) led to the acquisition and settlement of overseas colonies, particularly in North America (Canada, USA). The Treaty of Union led to a single united kingdom encompassing all Great Britain. On 1 May 1707, the united kingdom of Great Britain came into being, the result of Acts of Union being passed by the parliaments of England and Scotland to ratify the 1706 Treaty of Union and so unite the two kingdoms. In the 18th century, cabinet government developed under Robert Walpole, in practice the first prime minister (1721?1742). A series of Jacobite Uprisings sought to remove the Protestant House of Hanover from the British throne and restore the Catholic House of Stuart. The Jacobites were finally defeated at the Battle of Culloden in 1746, after which the Scottish Highlanders were brutally suppressed, the bagpipes banned, the clan system crushed and the wearing of tartans made illegal. Many Scots moved to the New World, particularly Cape Breton Island, PEI and parts of the American South (e.g. Virginia). The British colonies in North America that broke away from Britain in the American War of Independence became the United States of America in 1782. British imperial ambition turned elsewhere, particularly to India. Scotland has remained BRITISH ever since. Quebec joined Canada in 1867 when their own politicians negotiated their entry into Confederation. In 1980, a vote was held on Quebec Independence with 60% voting to stay in Canada after Canadian PM Trudeau argued strongly on the benefits of a united Canada (he was a Quebecois from Montreal). However, certain grievances over control of their own unique society with Canada continued. In 1995, Quebec held a second referendum vote on Sovereignty and came within one percent of separating from Canada. The final vote was approximately 50.4% NO to 49.6% YES. The month before, Canadians panicked as the vote loomed and breathed a sigh of relief Oct 31, 1995 when the country stayed together by the slimmest margin imaginable. The fear of a devalued Canadian Dollar and an economy in ruins haunted the Prime Minister at that time Jean Chretien, himself a Quebecois. Recent polls have Scotland?s Independence Campaign leading in support by almost the exact same margin as the No Campaign in Quebec eventually received in 1995. As you read predictions below, think of how similar sovereignty issues regarding Canada and Quebec may have played out if Quebec had left Canada in 1995 (or during their first vote in 1980). The prospect of Scottish independence, discounted by the markets for months, has all of a sudden become so worrying it might drive traders to a wee dram. nbcnews/storyline/scotland-independence-vote/scottish-independence-would-have-broad-
Posted on: Wed, 10 Sep 2014 17:07:20 +0000
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