The treaty of union 1707 was a turning point in British history, it United Scotland and England together. The treaty of the union was a result of the failed Darien scheme which left Scotland near bankrupt- England gave Scotland nearly £400,000 sterling to pay off her debt – thus England was seen as a national hero. In January 1801 Ireland signed their treaty with England. Loyalty within Scotland to the union was a major factor affecting Scots opinions, key figures affected the Irish campaign, the want for home rule decreased in scotland, the want for home rule increased in Ireland, finally parliamentary reform. There was many reasons as to why Irelands need for the constitutional question was greater however, is evident that it is due to the need for home rule decreasing in Scotland meant the need for the constitutional question increased in Ireland.
Scotlands economy increased significantly due to the empire, this was the wisest decision for scotland’s economic growth as Smout argues “it was wiser for the country to unite with England than to cast off on her own” The results was prove of this- Scotland’s trading fulled economic growth with Scotland now being able to trade with British colonies. By 1760 40% of British imports of tobacco came through Scotland.The river Clyde produced over 70% of all British iron tonnage between 1851-1870 undoubtably showing an increase in Scotland’s economy therefore Scots didn’t see a reason for home rule as they were gaining many economic benefits from the union. The union also allowed many Scots to feel British due to the fact they can trade within the colonies reeking the benefits for themselves allowing economic growth.
The NAVSR expressed their irritation for some areas of Scottish politics like the representation in Westminster despite this however, were pro-union, they felt the union was beneficial to Scotland’s economy In 1885 the scottish secretary and office was established creating more loyalty to the union as Scots felt there was beneficial advancements established for Scotland, Westminster was granting Scotland’s requests. Nairn argues “Scotland preserved most of their own religious cultural and legal institutions intact” showing Scotlands culture society remained, it was only a political change. Ireland didn’t gain this benefit further showing why the Irish so desperately wanted home rule. The positions of the scottish secretary and office was to oversee the policy’s involving Scotland’s home affairs therefore scotland exercised a more devolution government instead of home rule suggesting many Scots were content and didn’t want to progress further. However, Kendle argues that this group was “more concerned with reliving parliamentary congestion than realising a national dream” suggesting that there was potential for Scotland to progress to home rule however, many groups didn’t progress to this.
Queen Victoria loved Scotland’s traditions and often came to visit due to the increase in transport. Victoria stated “The romance and the wild loveliness… beloved Scotland the proudest, finest country in the world.” The Queen formed a positive relationship between the two countries creating a common bond, again making Scotland feel more as an equal with England. Victoria also encouraged Scotland’s heritage and traditions such as the kilt and tartan further creating a stronger relationship between both countries.
Charles Stewart Parnell was elected into parliament as the leader of the home rule league in 1875. In 1880 he had the support of 24 home rule MPS to in 1885 where he gained 86 home rule MPS support , showing his impact on the campaign as well as growing the support to the Irish question. In March 1882, Parnell and Gladstone produced the ‘Kilmainham treaty;’ this increased the rights of tenants in the land acts put forward by Gladstone which allowed more tenants to have more say over their products, in return Parnell motivated more Irish to conform with the government therefore less violence was encouraged resulting in the campaign gaining more respect and democratic advancement. However, this wasn’t achieved in May 1882 there was 2 murders that were carried out on two senior British officers by individuals within an Irish terrorist group. Despite this, Parnell further went on to work with Gladstone in 1886. Both worked together to get the conservatives out of government due to them opposing home rule. This is was successful, Gladstone became Prime Minster he then pushed through the first Home Rule Bill in April 1886 therefore the need for home rule being greater in Ireland as Ireland were progressing towards it.
After the end of the Jacobite rebellion with the defeat at Culloden 16th April 1746 the highlands traditions changed, the dress act 1746 was introduced meaning kilts were banned this was as a result of the uprising in the hope it would stop another occurring again reducing the amount of nationalism in scotland . Dr Johnson who had travelled to scotland in 1773 observed that this act had been “universally obeyed” therefore the need for home rule would have decreased as national identity of the highlanders was discouraged and illegal. The traditional chiefs respect also rapidly decreased to the point they were no longer the power figure they once were. Moreover, many felt more unionist as there was less traditional differences between Scotland and England; the defeat of Bonnie Price Charlie marked the end of nationalism in the highlands.
The French war further brought both countries relations closer as both fought together for the same outcome- the defeat of France- creating a common bond between them. The highland soldiers began to identify as ‘British’ thus the need for home rule reduced. Showing that the need for the constitutional question was greater in Ireland as there was a feel that Ireland wasn’t an equal and didn’t identify as British bar the Ulster’s. Independence movements in Scotland decreased Nairn argues “there simply was no scottish nationalist movements of the usual sort” therefore, there was no single group pushing for independence from the union meaning that the government wouldn’t be pressured to change
Furthermore, Scotland progressed democratically alongside with Britain, there was many miner strikes within Scotland resulting in the minors regulation act 1887 being passed this increased safety within the mining industry such as no boy or girl could work under the age of 12 as well as fire safety issues being fixed. Showing scotland was progressing with Britain as an equal. Working class voices were being heard therefore there was no need for home rule in Scotland as these changes were being made initially, resulting in no need to revolt against the government in order to encourage change.
Salisbury stated “ Ireland must be kept like India at all hazards; by persuasion if possible; if not, by force” claiming Ireland was incapable of self government therefore many Irish turned to the liberals as this statement undermined many Irish, the use of “by force” suggests that the government was ready for violence which shows that the need for the constitutional question was greater in Ireland as many movements used force in an attempt for home rule. Arthur Balfour became the secretary for Ireland, brought in a new crimes bill; a retaliation against the agitation. It introduced summary convictions-there would be no juries or just juries made up of the upper class- which would result in biased outcomes therefore the working class need for home rule increased. Balfour became known as “bloody Balfour” due to the crimes bill, his coercive laws and the way he treated other politicians such as Parnell by stating he wasn’t a true representation of the Irish people.
Ireland were portrayed as more of a colonial country instead of an equal partner to England. However, there was 86 Irish nationalists that had a percentage of power in the commons, suggesting that they had some power meaning the Irish question could be achieved. The Queen disliked the Irish and felt they were mistrusted. Showing the difference between Scotland and Ireland as Victoria loved Scotland and their tradition compared to Ireland which whom she disliked therefore, again Ireland doesn’t see themselves as an equal in the union, and the contrast between Scotland and Ireland overall.
The Third Reform Act 1884 allowed Ireland to have a greater share of the vote, it trebled size of Irish electorate from around 230,000 to over 700,000 showing that there was a greater chance for home rule. Gladstone’s government was a turning point in Irish history, it gained a good amount of publicity for the Irish question therefore more people would join the movement, meaning the need for constitutional question was greater as more people joined. The liberal split caused major damage to the home rule campaign, there wasn’t enough support for the bills however, for example the 1886 home rule bill was passed up until the House of Commons suggesting it was the upper class again stopping the bills. The secret ballot 1872 then allowed those who had the vote to vote in private, therefore avoiding a biased outcome suggesting many who didn’t vote for home rule once before due to bribes or threats could now giving the campaign a new stance.
In conclusion, it is clear that the need for the constitutional question was greater in Ireland for a number of reasons; Scotland’s economy improved vastly due to the benefits of the empire. The movement groups within Scotland were only looking to benefit to union further with better representation of Scotland in Westminster compared to Ireland who’s movement groups were violent as well as looking to change the constitution. Queen Victoria loved Scotland’s traditions as well as promoted it throughout Britain, compared to her views of Ireland which were polar opposites again excluding Ireland from feeling like an equal partner. Parnell promoted the Irish question throughout and helped with the passing of the first home rule bill, meaning progression was being made. The Jacobite uprising reduced the amount of nationalism felt in Scotland. The French war created closer bonds with Scotland and England. Clearly the polarisation between the government treating of the working class in Ireland and scotland shows a reason for the need for home rule in Ireland being greater, in scotland the voices of the working class were being heard and changes were made- miners regulation act. In Ireland they are being treating unjustly with the new crime bill act. Salisburys government created hatred towards the conservatives therefore people turned to the liberals who supported home rule. Parliamentary acts passed made it more accessible for home rule to be passed. Clearly overall, Scots were discouraged to the need for home rule due to the benefits of the union compared to Ireland who never gained any.
Bibliography:
• John Prebble- the Darien disaster- (Pimlico 2002)
• Christopher Smout- A history of the scottish people 1560-1830, London: Fontana (Edinburgh university press 2005)
• Alan W Etri, (universal publishers 2013) Scotland’s road to independence the making of a state identity
• Colin Kidd (2008) union and unionisms: political thought in Scotland, 1500-2000
• J Kendle, Ireland and the federal solution; the debate over the United Kingdom 1870-1921 (Kingston and Montreal 1989)
• Joesph John Lee (Grill and Macmillan 2008)- the modernisation of the Irish society 1848-1918: from the great famine to independent Ireland
• Nairn T. (1977)- the breakup of Britain: crisis and Neo-nationalism
• Brown and Fraser (Pearson 2010) Britain since 1707
• Bingham, Caroline : "Beyond the Highland Line", Constable and Company, 1991
• http://www.vssj.jp/journal/7/kelly.pdf
• https://www.thegazette.co.uk/all-notices/content/100726
• www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/civil_war_revolution/scotland_clearances_0l.shtml
• http://www.qmile.com/q360/queen-victorias-love-affair-with-scotland
• http://www.scottishmining.co.uk/256.html
• http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/parnell_charles.shtml
• http://www.askaboutireland.ie/learning-zone/primary-students/looking-at-places/mayo/michael-davitt/kilmainham-treaty/
• https://www.parliament.uk/about/living-heritage/evolutionofparliament/legislativescrutiny/parliamentandireland/overview/two-home-rule-bills/
• https://www.scotclans.com/scotland/scottish-history/jacobite-scotland/1746-proscription/