August 5th , 1704
The Act of Security was passed by the Scottish Parliament in 1704 as a response to the perceived threats to Scotland’s autonomy and interests following the accession of Queen Anne to the throne of England, Scotland, and Ireland in 1702. The act was a significant moment in the lead-up to the Union of Scotland and England in 1707, as it reflected the growing tensions between the two kingdoms and Scotland’s desire to protect its sovereignty.
Background
- Succession Crisis: The Act of Security was closely tied to the issue of the royal succession. After the death of King William III in 1702, his sister-in-law Anne became queen of England, Scotland, and Ireland. However, the Act of Settlement 1701, passed by the English Parliament, excluded Catholics from the line of succession, ensuring that the Protestant House of Hanover would inherit the throne after Anne.
- Scottish Concerns: Scotland was not consulted about the Act of Settlement, leading to concerns that English interests were being prioritized over Scottish ones. The Scottish Parliament feared that the succession arrangements imposed by England might threaten Scotland’s independence and its ability to determine its own future.
Key Provisions of the Act of Security
- Conditional Succession: The Act of Security allowed the Scottish Parliament to choose a different successor to the throne of Scotland if Queen Anne died without an heir, unless Scotland’s demands regarding trade, religion, and governance were met by England. This meant that Scotland could potentially select a different monarch from England, creating the possibility of a divergence in the crowns.
- Military Preparations: The act also provided for the strengthening of Scotland’s military forces. It allowed the Scottish Parliament to raise and maintain a well-armed and trained militia, which was intended to defend Scotland’s interests in the event of conflict with England.
- Economic Protection: The act sought to protect Scotland’s economy by insisting on favorable terms for Scottish trade with England and its colonies. The Scottish Parliament wanted to ensure that Scotland would not be economically disadvantaged by any future union or by the policies of the English government.
Impact and Legacy
- English Response: The Act of Security alarmed the English government, which saw it as a threat to the unity of the crowns and the stability of the kingdom. In response, the English Parliament passed the Alien Act 1705, which threatened to impose economic sanctions on Scotland and treat Scots as foreigners in England if Scotland did not accept the Hanoverian succession and enter into negotiations for union.
- Move Toward Union: The Act of Security and the ensuing tensions between Scotland and England accelerated the push toward a formal union. The negotiations that followed led to the Treaty of Union in 1706, which was ratified by both the Scottish and English Parliaments. This resulted in the creation of the Kingdom of Great Britain on May 1, 1707.
- End of the Scottish Parliament: With the Union of 1707, the Scottish Parliament was dissolved, and Scotland was represented in the new Parliament of Great Britain at Westminster. The Act of Security, therefore, marked one of the final assertions of Scottish legislative independence before the union.
The Act of Security was a critical moment in the history of Scotland, reflecting the deep concerns of the Scottish political elite about their country’s future. It played a key role in the events that led to the Act of Union in 1707, which united Scotland and England under a single parliament and monarchy.
