KS3 History - Union, Jacobites & Britain 1707–1745

Study revision notes for KS3 History - Union, Jacobites & Britain 1707–1745

Union, Jacobites and Britain, 1707-1745: KS3 History Study Pack

1. Introduction

Between 1603 and 1745, the British Isles changed greatly. England and Scotland began the period as separate kingdoms with separate Parliaments, laws and national identities. Wales had already been joined politically to the Kingdom of England. Ireland was a separate kingdom, but it was strongly controlled by English governments and by a Protestant ruling elite.

In 1603, England and Scotland came to share the same monarch. This was called the Union of the Crowns. However, this did not create one country. England and Scotland still had different Parliaments. In 1707, the Act of Union joined the Kingdom of England, including Wales, and the Kingdom of Scotland into one new state: the Kingdom of Great Britain.

Not everyone supported this change. Some people hoped union would bring security, peace and trade. Others feared the loss of Scottish independence, higher taxes, or domination by England. Later, some people also resisted the new Hanoverian royal family, who inherited the throne in 1714. These opponents were called Jacobites because they supported the descendants of James II and VII, the Stuart king who had been removed in 1688.

The Jacobite risings of 1715 and 1745 challenged the Hanoverian monarchy. The most famous rising was led by Charles Edward Stuart, often called Bonnie Prince Charlie. It ended in defeat at the Battle of Culloden in 1746. Although Culloden falls just after 1745, it is essential for understanding the consequences of the 1745 rising.

This study pack helps you understand:

how England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland were connected before 1707
why the Act of Union happened
why some people supported and opposed union
why the Hanoverian succession mattered
who the Jacobites were
why the risings of 1715 and 1745 failed
how these events affected national identity in Britain and Ireland

Important warning: Great Britain, Britain, England and the United Kingdom do not all mean the same thing. Careful historians use these terms precisely.

2. Key Definitions

Word	Meaning
Union	Joining separate states, kingdoms, Parliaments or governments together.
Kingdom	A country ruled by a king or queen.
Parliament	An assembly that makes laws and agrees taxation.
Succession	The order in which people inherit the throne.
Hanoverian	Linked to the royal family from Hanover in Germany, beginning with George I in 1714.
Jacobite	A supporter of James II and VII, or his Stuart descendants, who claimed the throne.
Rebellion	An organised attempt to resist or overthrow a government.
Clan	A Highland kinship and loyalty group, often linked to a chief, land and family name.
Identity	A person or group's sense of who they are, such as Scottish, English, Welsh, Irish or British.
Treaty	A formal agreement between states or rulers.
Act of Union	The laws passed in 1706-1707 that created the Kingdom of Great Britain.
Great Britain	After 1707, the state formed by England, Wales and Scotland. It did not include Ireland.
United Kingdom	From 1801, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. Today it is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Stuart	The royal dynasty that ruled Scotland, then England, Scotland and Ireland, before being replaced by the Hanoverians.
Protestant	A Christian who belongs to churches that developed from the Reformation.
Catholic	A Christian who belongs to the Roman Catholic Church.
Parliamentarian	Someone connected to Parliament or supporting parliamentary power.
Sovereignty	The power to govern independently.
Darien Scheme	A failed Scottish attempt in the 1690s to set up a colony in Panama.
Equivalent	Money paid to Scotland as part of the union settlement, partly to compensate investors and balance financial arrangements.

3. Timeline / Chronology

Date	Event	Why it mattered
1536 and 1543	Laws in Wales Acts	Wales was joined more directly to the Kingdom of England, with English law and representation in Parliament.
1603	Union of the Crowns	James VI of Scotland became James I of England and Ireland. England and Scotland shared a monarch but stayed separate states.
1688-1689	Glorious Revolution	James II and VII was removed. William III and Mary II became joint monarchs. This strengthened Protestant succession and Parliament's role.
1698-1700	Darien Scheme failed	Many Scottish investors lost money, weakening Scotland's economy and increasing pressure for economic change.
1701	English Act of Settlement	The English Parliament chose a Protestant Hanoverian line of succession if Anne had no surviving children.
1703-1704	Scottish Act of Security	Scotland claimed a right to choose a different successor, worrying England.
1707	Act of Union	England, including Wales, and Scotland became the Kingdom of Great Britain with one Parliament at Westminster.
1714	Queen Anne died	George I of Hanover became king, beginning Hanoverian rule.
1715	First major Jacobite rising after union	Jacobites tried to restore the Stuart claimant James Francis Edward Stuart.
1719	Smaller Jacobite rising	A Spanish-backed attempt failed after the Battle of Glen Shiel.
1745	Charles Edward Stuart landed in Scotland	The last major Jacobite rising began.
September 1745	Battle of Prestonpans	Jacobites defeated a government army near Edinburgh.
December 1745	Jacobites reached Derby, then turned back	This was the furthest south the Jacobite army reached.
January 1746	Battle of Falkirk Muir	Jacobites won a battle but did not turn it into lasting success.
16 April 1746	Battle of Culloden	Government forces defeated the Jacobites.
1746 onwards	Laws weakened Highland clan power	The government used punishment and reform to reduce future Jacobite support.

Chronology Skill

When revising this topic, check whether an event happened:

before 1603: separate crowns
1603-1707: shared monarch, separate Parliaments
1707-1714: Great Britain under Queen Anne
after 1714: Hanoverian kings and Jacobite challenges

4. Core Knowledge Sections

4.1 England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland before 1707

Before 1707, the British Isles were not one modern country.

England and Wales

Wales had its own language, culture and identity, but by the sixteenth century it had been joined more fully to the Kingdom of England through the Laws in Wales Acts. Welsh counties sent MPs to the English Parliament. This meant that by 1707, when people spoke about the Kingdom of England in political terms, it included Wales. However, Welsh identity did not disappear.

Scotland

Scotland was an independent kingdom with its own Parliament, legal system, church and traditions. Scotland had its own national identity and a long history of rivalry, war, trade and diplomacy with England. The Scottish Kirk, or Church of Scotland, was Presbyterian, which mattered because religious differences shaped politics.

Ireland

Ireland was a separate kingdom. It had its own Parliament, but it was heavily influenced by England. Many Irish Catholics faced discrimination under Protestant rule. Ireland was not part of Great Britain in 1707. It joined with Great Britain later, in 1801, to form the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.

Why this matters

The Act of Union in 1707 did not create the United Kingdom as we know it today. It created the Kingdom of Great Britain. Ireland remained separate but closely controlled. Wales was already politically joined to England, but Welsh identity remained important.

4.2 The Union of the Crowns, 1603

In 1603, Queen Elizabeth I of England died without children. Her closest suitable heir was James VI of Scotland. He became James I of England and Ireland while remaining James VI of Scotland.

This created the Union of the Crowns. It meant one person ruled both England and Scotland. However:

England and Scotland kept separate Parliaments
they kept separate laws
they raised separate taxes
they had separate churches
they were still separate kingdoms

James wanted closer union and liked the idea of being king of a united Britain. Many people were cautious. English MPs did not want to lose power or share too much with Scotland. Scottish leaders did not want Scotland to be swallowed by England. So, in 1603 there was a shared monarch, but not a united state.

4.3 Why did the Act of Union happen in 1707?

The Act of Union had several causes. No single cause explains it fully.

1. Security and fear of France

England was often at war with France. English politicians worried that an independent Scotland could ally with France, as had happened in earlier centuries through the Auld Alliance. If Scotland chose a different monarch from England after Queen Anne, England might face a hostile neighbour in the north.

Union would make it harder for France or Jacobite supporters to use Scotland as a base against England.

2. The problem of succession

Queen Anne had no surviving children. The English Parliament had already decided that the throne should pass to Protestant relatives from Hanover. Some Scottish politicians disliked England deciding the future monarchy without Scotland. The Scottish Act of Security suggested Scotland might choose a different successor.

This worried England because two different monarchs could break the shared crown created in 1603.

3. Scottish economic problems

Scotland's economy had been damaged by poor harvests in the 1690s and by the failure of the Darien Scheme. The Darien Scheme was an attempt to create a Scottish trading colony in Panama. It failed badly because of disease, poor planning, Spanish opposition and lack of support. Many Scottish investors lost money.

Union offered Scotland access to English colonial trade and markets. Some Scottish elites hoped this would bring new wealth and opportunity.

4. English economic and political pressure

England used economic pressure to encourage union. The Alien Act of 1705 threatened Scottish trade with England unless Scotland accepted negotiations about succession and union. This showed that England had more economic power.

5. Political bargaining

Some Scottish politicians believed union was the best available choice. Others were influenced by patronage, positions, money or promises. The Equivalent payment also mattered. It was not simply a "bribe", but it did benefit some important investors and helped win support among Scottish elites.

4.4 What did the Act of Union do?

The Act of Union came into effect on 1 May 1707.

It:

created the Kingdom of Great Britain
joined the English and Scottish Parliaments into one Parliament at Westminster
gave Scotland 45 MPs in the House of Commons
gave Scotland 16 representative peers in the House of Lords
allowed Scotland access to English colonial trade
kept Scotland's separate legal system
protected the Presbyterian Church of Scotland
created shared taxation and customs arrangements
kept England and Wales under their existing legal and church arrangements

The union was therefore not a complete merging of everything. Scotland lost its separate Parliament, but kept important institutions such as its legal system, education traditions and church.

4.5 Support for union

Supporters of union had different reasons.

Some Scottish supporters argued that:

Scotland needed access to wider trade
union could bring economic recovery after Darien
Scotland's church and legal system would be protected
a united Britain would be more secure
Scotland could gain influence in a larger empire

Some English supporters argued that:

union would prevent Scotland choosing a different monarch
Britain would be stronger against France
Jacobite plots would be harder
trade could be more organised
Westminster would have more control over the whole island of Great Britain

Not all supporters were idealistic. Some were practical. Some acted from self-interest. Some accepted union because they thought the alternatives were worse.

4.6 Opposition to union

Opposition was strong in parts of Scotland and also existed in England.

Scottish opponents worried that:

Scotland would lose its independent Parliament
Westminster would be dominated by English interests
new taxes would hurt ordinary people
Scottish identity and sovereignty would be weakened
elites had agreed union without enough consent from ordinary Scots

There were protests in Scotland. Many pamphlets and speeches attacked the union. However, Scotland was not one single viewpoint. Some merchants, nobles and politicians supported union; others opposed it.

English opponents sometimes worried that:

union would be expensive
Scottish MPs might affect English politics
Scotland might gain trade advantages
England would have to share responsibility for Scottish financial problems

The final agreement was a compromise, but an unequal one because England was richer, more populous and politically stronger.

4.7 Hanoverian succession

Queen Anne died in 1714. Under the Act of Settlement, the crown passed to George I, Elector of Hanover. He was a Protestant and a distant relative of the Stuarts.

This mattered because many closer blood relatives of Anne were Catholic. English and British political leaders wanted a Protestant monarch. They feared a Catholic Stuart restoration might weaken Parliament and reverse the religious settlement created after 1688.

George I was not universally popular. He was German, spoke limited English at first, and was linked strongly to Whig politicians. Some people believed the Stuart line had a stronger hereditary claim. This helped the Jacobite cause.

4.8 Who were the Jacobites?

Jacobites supported James II and VII, who had been removed in 1688, or his descendants:

James Francis Edward Stuart, known by supporters as James III and VIII, and by opponents as the Old Pretender
Charles Edward Stuart, his son, often called Bonnie Prince Charlie

Jacobitism was not just one thing. Supporters had different motives:

some believed in hereditary monarchy
some were Catholics who hoped for better treatment
some were Episcopalians who disliked Presbyterian or Anglican dominance
some Scottish opponents of union saw Jacobitism as a way to reverse 1707
some Highland clans supported the Stuarts because of local loyalties, rivalries or hopes for advantage
some English Tories disliked Whig dominance and Hanoverian rule

However, many Catholics did not rebel, many Scots were anti-Jacobite, and many Highlanders fought for the government. It is a mistake to think all Scots were Jacobites or all Jacobites were Scottish.

4.9 The Jacobite Rising of 1715

The 1715 rising began soon after George I became king. The main Scottish leader was the Earl of Mar. He raised support for James Francis Edward Stuart.

The Jacobites hoped to take advantage of discontent with the Hanoverian succession. They gained support in parts of Scotland and northern England. However, the rising was badly coordinated.

Key problems included:

slow leadership
unclear strategy
limited English support
strong government response
poor timing
James arrived too late

The Battle of Sheriffmuir in Scotland was indecisive, though it stopped Jacobite momentum. In England, Jacobite forces were defeated at Preston. By early 1716, the rising had failed.

4.10 The Jacobite Rising of 1745

In 1745, Charles Edward Stuart landed in the Hebrides with a small group of supporters. At first, many people thought his chances were poor. He raised his standard at Glenfinnan and gained Highland support.

The Jacobites moved quickly:

they entered Edinburgh
they won at Prestonpans in September 1745
they marched into England
they reached Derby in December 1745

Derby was a turning point. The Jacobite leaders debated whether to continue towards London. They were uncertain about English support, French invasion plans and government armies. They decided to retreat to Scotland.

The retreat damaged morale and gave the government time to organise. The Jacobites won at Falkirk Muir in January 1746 but did not gain decisive advantage. On 16 April 1746, they were defeated by the Duke of Cumberland's government army at Culloden.

4.11 Why did the Jacobites fail?

The Jacobites failed for several connected reasons.

Limited support

They did not gain enough support in England or the Lowlands of Scotland. Many people were cautious or loyal to the government. Some disliked the Stuarts or feared Catholic influence.

Government resources

The British government had more money, troops, ships and administrative power. It could move armies and gather intelligence.

Weak foreign help

Jacobite hopes often depended on French or Spanish support. Foreign help was limited, delayed or unreliable. Without a major invasion, the Jacobites struggled.

Strategic problems

The 1745 rising moved quickly at first, but the Jacobites had difficult choices. Continuing from Derby might have been risky, but retreat also weakened the campaign.

Divided aims

Jacobites did not all want exactly the same outcome. Some wanted a Stuart restoration across Britain. Some wanted to undo the union. Some were focused on clan interests or local rivalries.

Changing Britain

By the 1740s, many elites were becoming tied to the new British state through trade, empire, office and finance. Jacobitism still mattered, but it was less able to overturn the government.

4.12 Consequences for Highland society

After Culloden, the government wanted to prevent another Jacobite rising. It targeted parts of Highland society that it saw as dangerous.

Consequences included:

executions and punishments for some Jacobite leaders
confiscation of estates from some rebels
military roads and forts to control the Highlands
the Heritable Jurisdictions Act, which reduced the legal powers of clan chiefs
the Disarming Acts, which restricted weapons
the Dress Act, which restricted Highland dress for many people
pressure on traditional clan authority

These changes did not destroy Highland culture completely, but they weakened the political and military power of clan chiefs. Over time, the Highlands changed through government control, economic pressure, landlord decisions and wider social change.

4.13 Identity: English, Scottish, Welsh, Irish and British

Identity in this period was complex. People could have more than one identity at the same time.

A person might feel:

Scottish and British
Welsh and British
English and Protestant
Irish and Catholic
Highland and loyal to a clan
Lowland and loyal to the Hanoverian government
British because of empire, trade or Protestantism

The new British identity after 1707 did not replace older identities. Instead, it existed alongside them. Some people embraced Britishness because it brought opportunities. Others saw it as a threat to Scottish, Welsh or Irish identity.

Ireland's position was especially complicated. Ireland was not part of Great Britain, but Irish politics, trade, religion and land were deeply affected by British power.

5. People, Places and Events

Key People

Person	Role	Significance
James VI and I	King of Scotland, then England and Ireland from 1603	Created the Union of the Crowns by inheritance.
Queen Anne	Queen when the Act of Union took effect	Last Stuart monarch. Her lack of surviving children made succession urgent.
George I	First Hanoverian king from 1714	His succession triggered Jacobite opposition.
James II and VII	Removed Stuart king	His descendants became the focus of Jacobite hopes.
James Francis Edward Stuart	Stuart claimant in 1715	Jacobites saw him as rightful king.
Earl of Mar	Jacobite leader in 1715	Led the rising in Scotland but failed to defeat the government.
Charles Edward Stuart	Jacobite leader in 1745	Led the last major Jacobite rising.
Duke of Cumberland	Government commander at Culloden	Defeated the Jacobites in 1746.
Robert Walpole	Leading Whig politician	Shows how Hanoverian Britain was connected to party politics and government power.

Key Places

Place	Why it matters
Westminster	Location of the Parliament of Great Britain after 1707.
Edinburgh	Former home of the Scottish Parliament; captured by Jacobites in 1745.
Darien, Panama	Site of Scotland's failed colonial scheme.
Hanover	German territory linked to George I.
Glenfinnan	Charles Edward Stuart raised his standard there in 1745.
Prestonpans	Jacobite victory in 1745.
Derby	Furthest point reached by the 1745 Jacobite army in England.
Culloden	Final defeat of the Jacobite army in 1746.
Highlands	Region where some clans supported Jacobitism, though not all Highlanders did.
Ireland	Separate kingdom, not part of Great Britain in 1707, but closely controlled by Britain.

Key Events

The Act of Union, 1707

The Act of Union created one Parliament and one state for England, Wales and Scotland. It was caused by security, succession, economics and political pressure.

The Hanoverian succession, 1714

George I became king because Parliament wanted a Protestant successor. This angered Jacobites who supported the Stuart line.

The 1715 rising

This was a serious Jacobite challenge but it lacked coordination and broad support.

The 1745 rising

This was the most dramatic Jacobite challenge. It showed the Jacobites could still threaten the government, but their support was not strong enough to win.

Culloden and its aftermath

Culloden ended the Jacobite military threat. Government action afterwards changed Highland politics and society.

6. Sources and Evidence

Historians do not simply ask, "Is this source true?" They ask what it can and cannot tell us. Use provenance, content, context, purpose, audience and limitations.

Source A: Map stimulus - British Isles before and after union

Before 1707:

Ireland: separate kingdom, heavily influenced by England
Scotland: separate kingdom with its own Parliament
England and Wales: one political kingdom, with Wales represented in English Parliament

Simple map-style sketch:

Before 1707 Ireland = separate kingdom under strong English influence Scotland = separate kingdom, separate Parliament England + Wales = Kingdom of England

After 1707 Ireland = still separate kingdom Scotland + England + Wales = Kingdom of Great Britain

Questions:

What changed in 1707?
What stayed the same after 1707?
Why is it inaccurate to say the United Kingdom was created in 1707?
How useful is this map stimulus for understanding political change?
What does the map not show about identity?

Source B: Pro-union viewpoint extract

"If Scotland joins with England, our merchants may trade more freely across the seas. Our church and laws can be protected, while our country gains the strength of a larger kingdom. Union may be the surest way to secure peace and prosperity."

This is an invented, historically plausible viewpoint based on arguments used by supporters of union.

Questions:

What reasons for union are given in the source?
What does the source suggest about trade?
What does it suggest supporters were worried about protecting?
Who might have agreed with this view?
What limitations does this source have for judging all Scottish opinion?

Source C: Anti-union viewpoint extract

"Our ancient Parliament is to be given away. Decisions will be made far from Scotland, where English interests will be stronger than ours. Promises of trade cannot repay the loss of our sovereignty."

This is an invented, historically plausible viewpoint based on arguments used by opponents of union.

Questions:

What is the writer most worried about?
Which word shows concern about independent power?
How does this source differ from Source B?
Why might some ordinary Scots have agreed with this argument?
How useful are Sources B and C together for studying union?

Source D: Jacobite rising timeline stimulus

Date	Event
1714	George I became king.
1715	Jacobite rising began under the Earl of Mar.
1716	James Francis Edward Stuart left Scotland after failure.
1745	Charles Edward Stuart landed in Scotland.
Sept 1745	Jacobites won at Prestonpans.
Dec 1745	Jacobites reached Derby and turned back.
Apr 1746	Jacobites were defeated at Culloden.

Questions:

How many years passed between George I becoming king and the 1715 rising?
Which rising was led by Charles Edward Stuart?
What event suggests the 1745 rising was initially successful?
What event suggests the Jacobites failed to gain enough support in England?
How useful is a timeline for explaining why the Jacobites failed?

Source E: Culloden consequence table

Consequence	Short explanation	Type of consequence
Executions and punishments	Some Jacobite leaders were executed or imprisoned.	Political and legal
Confiscated estates	Some rebel landowners lost property.	Economic and political
Military roads and forts	The government improved control of the Highlands.	Military
Reduced clan chief powers	Heritable jurisdictions were weakened.	Social and political
Restrictions on weapons and dress	The government tried to reduce symbols and tools of rebellion.	Cultural and military

Questions:

Which consequences were political?
Which consequence helped the government control movement and rebellion?
Why might reducing clan chiefs' powers matter?
How did consequences affect ordinary Highlanders?
How far did Culloden change Highland society?

Source F: Identity discussion source

"My father calls himself a Scot and says the union was a bargain made by the powerful. My uncle trades through London and says we are now British as well as Scottish. At church, people speak of defending Protestant Britain against Catholic France. In the market, people still argue about taxes."

This is an invented, historically plausible discussion source.

Questions:

What different identities appear in the source?
What economic reason for British identity is suggested?
What religious reason for British identity is suggested?
What evidence shows disagreement continued?
How does this source help challenge the idea that identity is simple?

7. Interpretations

Historical interpretations are explanations or views about the past. They can differ because historians ask different questions, use different evidence or write in different times.

Interpretation 1: Union as opportunity

Some historians emphasise that union gave Scotland access to wider trade, empire and economic growth. They argue that many Scottish merchants and elites benefited from the British state. This interpretation highlights long-term economic change and the growth of British power.

Evidence that supports this:

Scotland gained access to English colonial markets
some Scottish merchants became important in imperial trade
Scotland kept its legal system and church
Britain became a powerful European and imperial state

Limits of this interpretation:

it can underplay opposition in Scotland
it may focus too much on elites
it may not show the costs for people facing new taxes or loss of sovereignty

Interpretation 2: Union as pressure and loss

Other historians emphasise that union was shaped by English pressure, Scottish economic weakness and political bargaining. They see it as a loss of Scottish sovereignty because the Scottish Parliament ended.

Evidence that supports this:

the Scottish Parliament was abolished
England had more economic and military power
many people protested against union
the Alien Act put pressure on Scotland

Limits of this interpretation:

it can underplay genuine Scottish support for union
it may make Scotland seem like one viewpoint
it may not explain why some Scots later used British identity for their own advantage

Interpretation 3: Jacobitism as a serious threat

Some interpretations stress that Jacobitism was dangerous to the Hanoverian state. The 1745 army reached Derby, which was a serious military and political moment.

Evidence that supports this:

Jacobites captured Edinburgh
they won at Prestonpans
they reached England
the government took strong action after Culloden

Limits:

Jacobites lacked broad support
French help was limited
many Scots and Highlanders fought for the government

Interpretation 4: Jacobitism as a doomed cause

Other interpretations argue that Jacobitism was unlikely to succeed because Britain had stronger finances, government structures and military resources.

Evidence that supports this:

the government raised large armies
the Royal Navy limited foreign invasion
English support for the Jacobites was weaker than hoped
many elites benefited from Hanoverian Britain

Limits:

it can make the result seem inevitable
it may underplay how alarming the 1745 advance to Derby was
it may ignore moments when government control looked uncertain

How to compare interpretations

Ask:

What is the main claim?
What evidence supports it?
What evidence challenges it?
Does it focus on elites, ordinary people, politics, economics, religion or identity?
Does it make the outcome seem inevitable?

8. Tables

Causes of the Act of Union

Cause	Explanation	Linked factor
Succession crisis	England wanted Scotland to accept the Hanoverian Protestant succession.	Politics and religion
Security	England feared Scotland might ally with France or support Jacobites.	War and foreign policy
Scottish economic problems	Darien and poor harvests weakened Scotland.	Economy
Trade hopes	Union offered access to English colonial trade.	Economy and empire
English pressure	The Alien Act threatened Scottish trade.	Power and diplomacy
Political bargaining	Scottish elites negotiated protections and payments.	Parliament and self-interest

Support and opposition

Viewpoint	Arguments
Scottish support	Trade, security, protected church, access to empire, compensation after Darien.
Scottish opposition	Loss of Parliament, fear of English domination, higher taxes, weakened sovereignty.
English support	Security, Protestant succession, stronger island state, fewer threats from Scotland.
English opposition	Cost, Scottish influence at Westminster, sharing trade benefits.

Why the Jacobites failed

Reason	1715	1745
Leadership	Mar was slow and uncertain.	Charles was bold, but strategy was disputed.
Support	Limited English support.	English support again weaker than hoped.
Government power	Government defeated rebels at Preston.	Government regrouped and won at Culloden.
Foreign help	Not enough help arrived.	French help was limited and uncertain.
Timing	James arrived too late.	Derby retreat damaged momentum.

Culloden consequence table

Area of life	Change after Culloden	Continuity
Politics	Clan chiefs lost some legal powers.	Some elite families kept influence if loyal or restored.
Military control	Roads, forts and garrisons increased.	The Highlands still had local traditions and loyalties.
Culture	Highland dress was restricted for many people.	Gaelic culture and memory continued.
Land	Some estates were confiscated.	Landlord power remained important.
Identity	Jacobitism became less practical as a military cause.	Scottish and Highland identities continued in changing forms.

9. Text / ASCII Diagrams and Timelines

From separate kingdoms to Great Britain

1603: England + Wales Scotland Ireland same monarch, but separate Parliaments and laws

1707: England + Wales + Scotland = Kingdom of Great Britain Ireland = separate kingdom, closely controlled

1801, for comparison: Great Britain + Ireland = United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland

Cause and consequence chain: Act of Union

Darien failure + poor harvests + English fears about succession and France + Scottish hope for trade access + Political bargaining and pressure = Act of Union, 1707 = Kingdom of Great Britain and one Parliament at Westminster

Jacobite rising timeline

Argument scale: Was union a good deal for Scotland?

Strongly yes ------------------------------------------------ Strongly no Trade access Security Protected church Lost Parliament English pressure Public opposition

Good answers place evidence on both sides before reaching a judgement.

Source evaluation grid

Skill	Question to ask
Content	What does the source say or show?
Inference	What does it suggest?
Provenance	Who made it, when and where?
Purpose	Why might it have been made?
Audience	Who was meant to read or see it?
Context	What was happening at the time?
Limitation	What does it leave out or exaggerate?

10. Common Mistakes

Mistake 1: Confusing Great Britain, Britain, England and the UK

Do not write "England" when you mean "Great Britain". England was only one part of the new state. Wales was politically joined to England before 1707. Scotland joined with England and Wales in 1707. Ireland did not join until 1801.

Better wording:

"The Act of Union created Great Britain in 1707."
"The United Kingdom was created in 1801, not 1707."
"England and Wales were already politically connected before union with Scotland."

Mistake 2: Assuming everyone supported union

Union was debated. Some Scots supported it. Some Scots opposed it. Some English people supported it. Some English people opposed it. Avoid writing as if a whole nation had one opinion.

Mistake 3: Treating Scotland as one viewpoint

Scottish nobles, merchants, ministers, farmers, Highland chiefs and Lowland townspeople could have different interests. Some Highland clans were Jacobite; others supported the government.

Mistake 4: Confusing Jacobites with Jacobins

Jacobites supported the Stuart claim to the British throne. Jacobins were a political group in the French Revolution later in the eighteenth century. They are not the same.

Mistake 5: Thinking national identity is simple or fixed

People could be Scottish and British, Welsh and British, Irish and Catholic, English and Protestant, or have several identities. Identity can change depending on politics, religion, language, region, class and family.

Mistake 6: Describing without explaining

Weak answer: "The Jacobites lost at Culloden."

Stronger answer: "The Jacobites failed because they lacked broad support, had limited foreign help, and faced a government with greater military and financial resources. Culloden was the final military defeat."

Mistake 7: Using sources without provenance

Do not just quote a source. Ask who made it, why, and what it leaves out.

Mistake 8: Making Culloden the only reason Jacobitism failed

Culloden was important, but the Jacobites were already weakened by limited support, strategic disagreements and government resources.

11. Exam Tips

Command words

Command word	What to do
Describe	Give accurate details about what happened or what something was like.
Explain	Give reasons and show how they connect to the outcome.
Compare	Show similarities and differences.
How far	Give both sides and reach a judgement.
How useful	Use content and provenance to judge value and limits.
Why	Give causes, not just events.
What changed	Identify change and explain its importance.
How significant	Judge importance using evidence and criteria.

Using evidence

Good evidence is precise. Use:

dates: 1603, 1707, 1714, 1715, 1745, 1746
people: Queen Anne, George I, Charles Edward Stuart
places: Edinburgh, Derby, Culloden
terms: Act of Union, Hanoverian, Jacobite, succession

Explaining causes

Use linking words:

because
therefore
this meant that
as a result
however
in the short term
in the long term

Structuring a paragraph

Try PEEL:

Point: make your argument
Evidence: give a fact or source detail
Explain: show how it proves your point
Link: connect back to the question

Example:

"One important reason for union was the succession crisis. Queen Anne had no surviving children, and England wanted the Protestant Hanoverian line to inherit the throne. If Scotland chose a different successor, the shared monarchy created in 1603 could break apart. This made union attractive to English politicians because it made the island of Great Britain more secure."

Evaluating source usefulness

A source can be useful even if it is biased. Bias may show what people wanted others to believe. To evaluate usefulness, discuss:

what the source tells you
what it suggests
who made it
when it was made
why it was made
what it leaves out
what other evidence you would need

Judging significance

Use criteria:

How many people were affected?
How deeply were they affected?
How long did the effects last?
Did the event change politics, society, economy or identity?
Did people at the time think it mattered?

12. Practice Questions

A. Quick Recall Questions

What was the Union of the Crowns?
In which year did the Act of Union take effect?
Which kingdoms joined to create Great Britain?
Was Ireland part of Great Britain in 1707?
Who was Queen when the Act of Union took effect?
What was the Darien Scheme?
What does succession mean?
Who became king in 1714?
What is a Jacobite?
Who was Charles Edward Stuart?
What happened at Prestonpans?
Why was Derby important in 1745?
When was the Battle of Culloden?
Name one consequence of Culloden.
Why is it wrong to say all Scots were Jacobites?

B. Multiple Choice Questions

What did the Union of the Crowns in 1603 create? A. One Parliament for Britain B. One monarch ruling England and Scotland C. The United Kingdom D. The end of the Scottish legal system
Which monarch inherited the English throne in 1603? A. James VI of Scotland B. Charles Edward Stuart C. George I D. Queen Anne
The Act of Union took effect in: A. 1603 B. 1688 C. 1707 D. 1745
The Act of Union created: A. The Kingdom of Great Britain B. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland C. The British Empire D. The European Union
In 1707, Wales was: A. A separate kingdom with its own Parliament B. Politically joined to England C. Part of Ireland D. Ruled by France
Ireland in 1707 was: A. Part of Great Britain B. A separate kingdom under strong English influence C. Completely independent from English power D. Part of Scotland
The Darien Scheme was: A. A Scottish colonial project that failed B. A Hanoverian law C. A Jacobite battle plan D. A tax on tea
One English reason for supporting union was: A. To make Scotland Catholic B. To reduce fears about France and succession C. To give Ireland independence D. To abolish Parliament
One Scottish argument for union was: A. Access to wider trade B. Ending the Church of Scotland C. Making Scotland part of France D. Removing all Scottish laws
One Scottish argument against union was: A. Fear of losing the Scottish Parliament B. Too much Scottish control over England C. Support for the Darien Scheme's success D. Desire to create Hanover
Queen Anne was the last monarch from which dynasty? A. Tudor B. Stuart C. Hanoverian D. Windsor
George I came from: A. Hanover B. Edinburgh C. Dublin D. Paris
The Hanoverian succession was supported by Parliament mainly because George I was: A. Catholic B. Protestant C. Jacobite D. French
Jacobites supported: A. The Stuart claim to the throne B. The French Revolution C. The abolition of monarchy D. The Welsh Parliament in 1707
James Francis Edward Stuart was also known by opponents as: A. The Old Pretender B. Bonnie Prince Charlie C. The Duke of Cumberland D. Robert Walpole
The main Scottish Jacobite leader in 1715 was: A. Earl of Mar B. George I C. Queen Anne D. Oliver Cromwell
The 1715 rising failed partly because: A. It had perfect coordination B. It lacked broad support and clear strategy C. George I joined it D. Ireland had joined Great Britain
Charles Edward Stuart landed in Scotland in: A. 1707 B. 1714 C. 1715 D. 1745
The Jacobites won an early victory in 1745 at: A. Prestonpans B. Culloden C. Bosworth D. Hastings
The furthest south reached by the Jacobite army in 1745 was: A. London B. Derby C. York D. Oxford
The Battle of Culloden took place in: A. 1603 B. 1707 C. 1746 D. 1801
The government commander at Culloden was: A. Duke of Cumberland B. Earl of Mar C. James VI D. James II
After Culloden, the government tried to: A. Strengthen Jacobite armies B. Reduce the power of rebellious clan structures C. Restore the Scottish Parliament immediately D. Make Ireland part of France
A clan was: A. A Highland kinship and loyalty group B. A London trading company only C. A type of Parliament D. A Hanoverian law
Which statement is most accurate? A. All Highlanders were Jacobites B. All Scots opposed union C. Scottish opinion about union and Jacobitism was divided D. Ireland became part of Great Britain in 1707
The Act of Union protected Scotland's: A. Separate legal system and Presbyterian church B. Separate Parliament at Edinburgh C. Complete control over English trade D. Catholic monarchy
The Alien Act was important because it: A. Put pressure on Scotland through trade threats B. Made Charles Edward Stuart king C. Ended the Darien Scheme before it began D. Created the United Kingdom
British identity after 1707: A. Replaced all older identities immediately B. Could exist alongside Scottish, Welsh, English or Irish identities C. Was only used in Ireland D. Had nothing to do with religion or trade
A good source answer should consider: A. Only whether the source is long B. Content, provenance, purpose, context and limitations C. Only spelling D. Whether the source agrees with you
The Jacobites should not be confused with: A. Jacobins B. Hanoverians C. Stuarts D. Highlanders
Which was a consequence of Culloden? A. The Union of the Crowns B. The weakening of heritable jurisdictions C. The Darien Scheme D. The creation of the Welsh Assembly
Which question best asks about significance? A. What colour was a flag? B. How important were the Jacobite risings in challenging Hanoverian Britain? C. Spell Jacobite. D. Name one month.

C. Source Questions

Use Source B and Source C from Section 6.

Describe one argument in favour of union from Source B.
Describe one argument against union from Source C.
Compare the two sources. How are their views different?
How useful are Sources B and C for studying Scottish views of union?
What other evidence would help you decide how popular union was?

Use Source F from Section 6.

Identify two identities mentioned or suggested in the source.
What does the source suggest about trade and identity?
What does the source suggest about religion and identity?
Why is the source useful for challenging simple views of national identity?
What are its limitations?

D. Short Answer Questions

Describe two ways England and Scotland remained separate after 1603.
Explain one economic reason why some Scots supported union.
Explain one political reason why England supported union.
Describe two reasons why some Scots opposed union.
Explain why the Hanoverian succession caused tension.
Describe two groups who might support Jacobitism.
Explain one reason why the 1715 rising failed.
Explain one reason why the 1745 rising reached Derby but did not reach London.
Describe two consequences of Culloden for Highland society.
Explain why British identity did not simply replace Scottish, Welsh, English or Irish identity.

E. Longer Written Questions

Explain why the Act of Union happened in 1707. Give at least three reasons.
How far was the Act of Union mainly caused by economic problems in Scotland?
Compare support for and opposition to union in Scotland.
Explain why the Hanoverian succession led to Jacobite challenges.
Why did the Jacobite rising of 1745 fail?
How significant were the Jacobite risings in the history of Britain?
How useful are the map stimulus and viewpoint sources for understanding the creation of Great Britain?
"The Act of Union created one British identity." How far do you agree?

13. Answer Key

Quick Recall Answers

The Union of the Crowns was when James VI of Scotland became king of England and Ireland in 1603, so England and Scotland shared a monarch.
The Kingdom of England, including Wales, and the Kingdom of Scotland.
No.
Queen Anne.
A failed Scottish attempt to create a colony in Panama.
The order in which people inherit the throne.
George I.
A supporter of the Stuart claim to the throne.
The Stuart prince who led the 1745 Jacobite rising.
The Jacobites defeated a government army near Edinburgh.
It was the furthest south the Jacobite army reached before turning back.
16 April 1746.
Any valid answer: executions, estate confiscations, military roads, forts, restrictions on weapons or dress, reduced clan chief powers.
Scottish opinion was divided; many Scots supported the government or opposed Jacobitism.

Multiple Choice Answers

Short Answer Guidance

Good answers should:

use accurate terms such as union, succession, Hanoverian and Jacobite
include precise dates where possible
avoid saying England when they mean Great Britain
explain causes and consequences, not just list events
show that opinion was divided

14. Model Answers

Model Answer 1: Explain why the Act of Union happened in 1707.

The Act of Union happened in 1707 because of a mixture of political, economic and security reasons.

One important reason was the problem of succession. Queen Anne had no surviving children, so politicians worried about who would inherit the throne. The English Parliament wanted the Protestant Hanoverian line to succeed, but Scotland had suggested it might choose a different successor. This worried England because the shared monarchy created in 1603 could break apart.

Another reason was security. England was often at war with France and feared that an independent Scotland might ally with France or support Jacobite plans. Union would make the island of Great Britain easier to defend and would reduce the chance of Scotland becoming a base for England's enemies.

Economic reasons also mattered. Scotland had suffered from poor harvests and from the failure of the Darien Scheme. Some Scottish politicians and merchants believed union would give Scotland access to English colonial trade and new opportunities. However, this did not mean all Scots supported union. Many people feared the loss of the Scottish Parliament and Scottish sovereignty.

Overall, the Act of Union happened because both governments saw advantages, but the agreement was shaped by unequal power, economic pressure and fears about the future monarchy.

Model Answer 2: How far was union mainly caused by Scottish economic problems?

Scottish economic problems were very important, but they were not the only cause of union.

The failure of the Darien Scheme badly damaged many Scottish investors and showed Scotland's economic weakness. Poor harvests in the 1690s also created hardship. For some Scottish elites, union seemed to offer access to English colonial trade and a chance to recover economically. This means economic problems were a major reason why some Scots supported negotiations.

However, English political and security concerns were also crucial. England wanted Scotland to accept the Protestant Hanoverian succession. English politicians feared that Scotland could choose a different monarch or ally with France. The Alien Act also put pressure on Scotland by threatening trade.

Therefore, union was not mainly caused by one factor alone. Scottish economic problems made union more attractive to some Scots, but succession, security and English pressure were also essential causes.

Model Answer 3: Why did the Jacobite rising of 1745 fail?

The 1745 Jacobite rising failed because the Jacobites did not gain enough support and faced a stronger government.

At first, Charles Edward Stuart had success. He raised support in the Highlands, entered Edinburgh and won the Battle of Prestonpans. This showed that the Jacobites were a serious threat. However, their support was limited. When they marched into England, they did not receive the large number of English recruits they hoped for. This made it risky to continue towards London.

The government also had greater resources. It could raise troops, use the navy and organise military action more effectively. The Jacobites depended partly on French help, but this support was limited and unreliable.

Strategy was another problem. At Derby, the Jacobite leaders chose to retreat to Scotland. This decision may have been understandable because of uncertainty, but it damaged morale and gave the government time to respond. The final defeat at Culloden in 1746 ended the rising.

Overall, the rising failed because early victories were not enough to overcome limited support, weak foreign help, strategic problems and the greater power of the Hanoverian state.

Model Answer 4: How significant were the Jacobite risings?

The Jacobite risings were significant because they seriously challenged the Hanoverian monarchy, especially in 1745. The Jacobites captured Edinburgh, won at Prestonpans and reached Derby. This shows that the government could not simply ignore them.

They were also significant because of their consequences. After Culloden, the government took strong action in the Highlands. It reduced the powers of clan chiefs, restricted weapons and increased military control. These changes affected Highland society and made future Jacobite rebellion much harder.

However, the risings were limited in some ways. They did not win enough support across England, Lowland Scotland or Ireland. Many Scots were not Jacobites, and some Highland clans fought for the government. The Jacobites also depended too much on foreign support that did not arrive in enough strength.

Overall, the Jacobite risings were highly significant as a political and military threat, and because of their consequences for the Highlands. But they were not strong enough to overturn Hanoverian Britain.

Model Answer 5: "The Act of Union created one British identity." How far do you agree?

I partly agree that the Act of Union helped create a British identity, but it did not create one simple identity for everyone.

After 1707, England, Wales and Scotland became part of the Kingdom of Great Britain. Some people began to think of themselves as British, especially when trade, empire, Protestantism and war against France encouraged a shared identity. Scottish merchants, English politicians and some Welsh people could all find advantages in Britishness.

However, older identities continued. People still thought of themselves as Scottish, English, Welsh, Irish, Highland, Lowland, Protestant or Catholic. Ireland was not part of Great Britain in 1707, although it was strongly affected by British power. Some Scots opposed union because they believed it weakened Scottish sovereignty.

Therefore, the Act of Union encouraged British identity, but it did not replace other identities. Identity was layered, debated and different for different people.

15. Final Revision Checklist

I know the key dates: 1603, 1707, 1714, 1715, 1745 and 1746.
I can explain the difference between Great Britain, Britain, England and the United Kingdom.
I know that Wales was politically joined to England before 1707.
I know that Ireland was not part of Great Britain in 1707.
I can describe the Union of the Crowns.
I can explain at least three causes of the Act of Union.
I can give arguments for and against union.
I can explain why the Hanoverian succession mattered.
I can define Jacobite and Hanoverian.
I can describe the 1715 and 1745 Jacobite risings.
I can explain why the Jacobites failed.
I can describe the consequences of Culloden for Highland society.
I can explain change and continuity after 1707.
I can compare Scottish, English, Welsh, Irish and British identities carefully.
I can use source content and provenance in an answer.
I can compare interpretations of union and Jacobitism.
I can answer short factual questions accurately.
I can write a longer explanation using evidence.
I can make a judgement about significance.
I can avoid common mistakes about terminology and chronology.

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