When and why did the Act of Union take place and what were the consequences?

Scotland, 1689 - 1707
During these 18 years a king was deposed and parliament freed itself from royal control. A blundering effort by the government to pacify the Highlands ended in the massacre of Glencoe. Many people died of starvation during seven years of harvest failure. Scotland's attempt to set up a trading colony in Darien ended in disaster and soured relations with England. Then a crisis in the succession to the throne brought matters to a head. A solution had to be found and the one chosen was a Union of the Parliaments of England and Scotland.

Activities
Pupils will investigate the following questions:

• Why and how did the Act of Union take place?
• Who was involved?
• What were the arguments for and against Union?
• What changed as a result of the Act?
• What stayed the same?
• How do we regard Union today?

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