The Making of the United Kingdom The acts of union 1707 and 1801

Aims of this lesson By the end of this lesson you will Understand what we mean by the United Kingdom and identify its main features Understand how and why England, Ireland, Wales and Scotland came together in the 18 th and 19 th centuries Evaluate the positive and negative effects of the union then and now

England The most powerful nation in the British Isles Often at war with Scotland, Ireland and Wales Feared these countries joining up with her enemies

Wales Had been conquered by the English in the 13 th century English Lords controlled half the land – a threat In 1536 Wales had been joined to England via an act of union The Welsh Parliament was abolished and joined with the English Parliament

Scotland 1603 – James VI of Scotland became James I of England Kept own Parliament 1707 – Act of Union joined the Scottish and English Parliaments First union flag created Joined together because England feared that Scotland would support France

Ireland Henry VIII had taken control of Ireland in the 15 th century Took time – not completely taken over until the late 1700s 1690 – the last of the great Catholic rebellions against the British was put down Power now lay in the hands of the Protestant minority

The United Kingdom England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland were all ruled by one Parliament and one King Capital city was London Some northern Scots unhappy but most benefited from the union The Catholic Irish never really accepted to the union and the domination by the Protestant minority