SHOULD SCOTLAND BECOME AN INDEPENDENT COUNTRY? ANALYZING THE SCOTTISH INDEPENDENCE QUESTION IRC 10

OBJECTIVES To develop an understanding of the issues surrounding the 2014 Scottish Independence Referendum To understand the benefits and disadvantages, both for the UK and Scotland, of Scotland becoming an independent country To understand the complexity of a decision such as this, and the far-reaching implications geographically, economically, socially and politically. To develop our research and presentation skills To follow along in real time with the voting and make predictions To analyze the vote results and interpret the implications for other nations around the world

KEY FACTS Scotland is part of the United Kingdom A Scottish Parliament was formed in 1999, though still dependent on the UK In May 2011, The Scottish National Party won the parliamentary election. The SNP’s main goal is to achieve independence from the UK This gave them a mandate to hold a referendum vote, to ask Scotland if they want to gain independence from the UK The Vote takes place next week!

KEY PLAYERS The YES Campaign Led by First Minister Alex Sammond

KEY PLAYERS The No Campaign Led by Alistair Darling, Labour MP for Edinburgh West

BASIC ARGUMENTS YES, Scotland should become an independent country Scotland should be in control of its own destiny Too many decisions made by Westminster Oil – Scotland have a majority right to the North Sea oil and gas reserves Currency – Scotland want to keep the British Pound Some of the benefits for Scotland…… The right to make its own decisions and control its destiny Scotland has a strong economy with lots of potential Proposal to add more funds to the welfare budget to protect families, the elderly, university students etc.

BASIC ARGUMENTS NO, Scotland should NOT become an independent country Britain is one of the most successful political and social unions Scotland is stronger under the UK Oil – this industry is in decline and so more important to stay united Currency – the UK believe an independent Scotland should not be able to use the pound Some of the benefits of a union… Scotland has the best of both worlds…a parliament that can make decisions, while sharing the risks and the rewards of the UK Opportunity for further devolution with a ‘No’ vote

WHO GETS TO VOTE?

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

IRC 10 ANALYSIS 1.Should Scotland Become an Independent Country PP Introduction to the key issues 2. Scottish Independence: the essential guide Background information on where this referendum came from 3. Scotland For Richer or Poorer BBC Documentary An outline of the pros and cons of independence 4. Research/Presentation activity Researching one side of the argument via articles, news reports, TV debates and campaign websites 5. Presentation activity via Pecha Kucha style presentation 6 minute presentation to sell your side of the argument followed by a discussion of the key issues and prediction 6. Vote analysis Review the voting results after they happen and discuss the implications for Scotland, the UK and everyone else.