Agreement in 1707 uniting England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain
The Treaty of Union merged England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain, fundamentally reshaping the political map of the British Isles from 1707 onward.
Key Facts
- Treaty details agreed
- 22 July 1706
- Union took effect
- 1 May 1707
- Scottish Parliament vote in favour
- 110 votes
- Scottish Parliament vote against
- 67 votes
- Members absent from vote
- 123 of 300
- Lord Chancellor at prorogation
- James Ogilvy, 4th Earl of Findlater
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Separate kingdoms of England (including Wales) and Scotland had long shared a monarch but remained politically distinct. Pressure for formal union grew from strategic, economic, and diplomatic concerns in both kingdoms during the early 18th century, culminating in negotiations that produced agreed Articles of Union by July 1706.
The treaty terms were agreed on 22 July 1706, after which both the English and Scottish parliaments passed separate Acts of Union. In Scotland, the vote was 110 in favour to 67 against, with 123 of 300 members absent. On 1 May 1707, the Lord Chancellor prorogued the Scottish Parliament sine die, formally ending it.
The Kingdom of Great Britain came into existence on 1 May 1707, replacing the two separate kingdoms. Scotland's independent parliament was dissolved, with Scottish representation transferred to the new Parliament of Great Britain. The union laid the constitutional foundation for the modern British state.
Political Outcome
The Kingdom of England and the Kingdom of Scotland were united as the Kingdom of Great Britain, effective 1 May 1707, with a single Parliament replacing the two separate legislatures.
Two separate kingdoms — England (with Wales) and Scotland — each with its own parliament and government
Single Kingdom of Great Britain with a unified Parliament of Great Britain