The Scots and the Union: Then and Now - Softcover

Christopher A. Whatley

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0748680276 ISBN 13: 9780748680276

Publisher: Edinburgh University Press, 2014

Synopsis

This book offers key background reading for anyone interested in Scotland's 2014 referendum on independence. This book traces the background to the Treaty of Union of 1707, explains why it happened and assesses its impact on Scottish society, including the bitter struggle with the Jacobites for acceptance of the union in the two decades that followed its inauguration. The first edition was radical in reinterpreting the causes of union, rejecting the widely held notion that the Scots were bought and sold for English gold and instead placing emphasis on the international, dynastic and religious contexts of the union negotiations. This new edition brings the historical debate up to a vigorous present, in which we are once again discussing such issues and opinions, lending historical weight to arguments for and against Union. It is updated in the light of new research. It challenges dominant view that the Scots were 'bought and sold for English gold'. It includes a new chapter that expands the debate into the present. It adds historical dimension to the current debate about the Union. It presents key background reading for anyone interested in 2014 referendum.

About this title

About the Author

Christopher A. Whatley is Professor of Scottish History and Head of the College of Arts and Social Sciences at the University of Dundee.

From the Back Cover

'Chris Whatley has changed the terms of debate on the making of the Union. Updated to take account of the forthcoming referendum on independence, Whatley's classic is a vital corrective to the enduring myths associated with 1707.' Colin Kidd, University of St Andrews 'A masterly study, distinguished by painstaking research, broad and deep contextualisation, careful analysis and pellucid argument.' Alvin Jackson, University of Edinburgh 'An important and finely argued book. Everyone who seriously wants to understand how and why modern Scotland came into being should read it.' T. C. Smout, Historiographer Royal in Scotland An updated edition on the 1707 Union between Scotland and England in a modern context The Scots and the Union: Then and Now is a refreshed, revised and extended edition of The Scots and the Union, which appeared in 2006. It was acclaimed then as a path-breaking, game-changing account of the making of the United Kingdom, and the Scots' part in this. Winner of the Saltire Society's prestigious Scottish History Book of the Year prize, it successfully challenged accounts of the process that alleged that the union was brought about by English bullying and the venality of Scottish politicians 'bought and sold for English gold'. This new edition not only provides readers with an essential explanation of why and how Scotland became part of the United Kingdom, but brings the historical debate into a vigorous present with an additional section. An explanation is provided as to why the union is less strong in 2014 than it was in the 1950s and also why, in comparison with citizens in some other smaller European nations which have become independent states in recent times, large numbers of Scots seem reluctant to see the end of Britain. This new edition is the key background text for anyone wishing to explore how we got to the position where we are once again debating union issues and opinions, lending historical weight and context to the arguments for and against union. Christopher Whatley is Professor of Scottish History at the University of Dundee where until recently he was also a Vice Principal and Head of the College of Arts and Social Sciences. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh and a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society. Cover images: (c) iStockphoto.com Cover design: [EUP logo] www.euppublishing.com ISBN 978-0-7486-8027-6 Barcode

From the Inside Flap

Chris Whatley has changed the terms of debate on the making of the Union. Updated to take account of the forthcoming referendum on independence, Whatley s classic is a vital corrective to the enduring myths associated with 1707. Colin Kidd, University of St Andrews A masterly study, distinguished by painstaking research, broad and deep contextualisation, careful analysis and pellucid argument. Alvin Jackson, University of Edinburgh An important and finely argued book. Everyone who seriously wants to understand how and why modern Scotland came into being should read it. T. C. Smout, Historiographer Royal in ScotlandAn updated edition on the 1707 Union between Scotland and England in a modern contextThe Scots and the Union: Then and Now is a refreshed, revised and extended edition of The Scots and the Union, which appeared in 2006. It was acclaimed then as a path-breaking, game-changing account of the making of the United Kingdom, and the Scots part in this. Winner of the Saltire Society s prestigious Scottish History Book of the Year prize, it successfully challenged accounts of the process that alleged that the union was brought about by English bullying and the venality of Scottish politicians bought and sold for English gold .This new edition not only provides readers with an essential explanation of why and how Scotland became part of the United Kingdom, but brings the historical debate into a vigorous present with an additional section. An explanation is provided as to why the union is less strong in 2014 than it was in the 1950s and also why, in comparison with citizens in some other smaller European nations which have become independent states in recent times, large numbers of Scots seem reluctant to see the end of Britain.This new edition is the key background text for anyone wishing to explore how we got to the position where we are once again debating union issues and opinions, lending historical weight and context to the arguments for and against union.Christopher Whatley is Professor of Scottish History at the University of Dundee where until recently he was also a Vice Principal and Head of the College of Arts and Social Sciences. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh and a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society.Cover images: © iStockphoto.comCover design:[EUP logo]www.euppublishing.comISBN 978-0-7486-8027-6Barcode

Edition details

• Publisher: Edinburgh University Press
• Publication date: 2014
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0748680276
• ISBN 13: 9780748680276
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 480