Treaty of Union

The Treaty of Union, signed in 1707, was a historic agreement that unified the separate kingdoms and parliaments of England and Scotland to create the Kingdom of Great Britain. This treaty was the result of prolonged negotiations and discussions between representatives of both kingdoms, driven largely by economic incentives and the desire for a unified defense against potential threats. It laid the groundwork for a single parliament located in Westminster, London, though it preserved distinctive legal, educational, and religious institutions for Scotland. The union paved the way for a shared identity and international presence, though it also sparked debate and tensions that persist in discussions of Scottish independence today.