A Nation renewed.

“Such a period was the talk of Europe. Such was a great achievement for such a small nation.” Tom Johnston, A History of Scotland. 1936. (1)


The Scottish Enlightenment.

The causes for the Scottish enlightenment were threefold including trade, education and also access to the London elite by the Scottish ruling class through Scottish colonial influences.

By the year 1750, Scotland was the most literate nation in Europe (2). The Argyll ministry had ensured a period of stability unseen in centuries and the new colony in Africa had helped ensure that, amongst young males at any rate, education was nearly universal. The spirit of the age was fostered by the Government who in 1735 passed an act creating the Scottish Royal Academy in Edinburgh (3). Its goal was to foster and develop theories in science, literature and the arts. It was given a budget to help fund and develop academia throughout the land.

The period saw such minds come to prominence as the philosopher David Hume, the economist Adam Smith, and Robert Adam who designed not only the Academy but the entirety of the Edinburgh New Town with its wide winding boulevards and grand Roman style buildings, John Sinclair(4) who was a leading light in the Argyll ministry, who effectively ran the economy, not to mention many others.

Theirs and others connected to the Edinburgh sets work penetrated far wider than the narrow confines of Scottish society.

Adam Smith saw his works, such as The theory of moral sentiments and Wealth of Nations become extremely popular not only in London but throughout European society(5). Famously, on a visit to London he was allowed to visit the Prime Minister Walpole. During their exchange he thanked Walpole for the privilege of access. The Prime Minister was said to have replied “On the contrary, I thank you sir”.(6) His theories became more or less followed by both the English and Scottish governments.

David Hume, who established the Scottish anti-slavery league (7) in protest at the Scottish colonial slave trade was a leading light in philosophy, becoming sought after throughout Europe.

In addition to this technology was beginning to advance also, as was shown in 1785 by James Watt inventing the Steam Engine (8). His legacy also helped the ever closer ruling elite in the beginnings of the industrial revolution. This a factor famously remarked upon by James Mills (9) that “By achieving independence in the manner we have, we have become so close as to become dependent on our neighbour”.

At the time it became the fashion for children of the Aristocracy and ruling classes of many throughout Europe to be educated in Scotland (10). All in all, Scotland in the eighteenth century was one of growth and development, albeit with many external influences meaning as much as a fifth of Scottish business was owned by this new, emerging Anglo-Scots nobility(11). Edinburgh, with the intellectual spirit of the day and the Romanesque new town, became known as "the Athens of the North", the question was how to continue the development.

(1) Tom Johnston in OTL was Scots Secretary from 1940-1945, and famous for his energy plans for Scotland that would bring "power to the glens". He did write a history of the common people of Scotland in otl but in this tl he has also wrote a more General history.
(2) As in OTL, where it was estimated at 75% in 1750. In this tl it is higher due to increased intervention from government. I think this is plausible as in the period leading up to the Union in Otl, the Scottish Estates passed one of the most forward looking education acts in the age. Outside the Union, I would expect this spirit to continue.
(3) Similar to the Swedish Royal Academy which was founded in 1773.
(4) OTL Politician and famous statistition. In this tl, famous both for his works and in his position in controlling Scotlands finances.
(5) I see no reason for his fortunes or position to change, given the scenario.
(6) A similar meeting and exchange occured in Otl.
(7) Never happened in Otl, but I would see him as a candidate for such a Society.
(8) Slightly later, but as in Otl. Developed in England.
(9) Father of John Stuart Mills and a philosopher in his own right.
(10) Given that more emphasis has been put on education, to encourage investment this is strongly fiscally encouraged by the Scottish Government.
(11) A result of the inrerchange between the nations economically was that the nobility of the nations intermingled as much as OTL. This led to many of the English upper-classes owning much Scottish industry.

See below, London edition of Adam Smiths Wealth of Nations.

Wealth_of_Nations.jpg

Wealth_of_Nations.jpg
 
“These events concern me greatly. I fear our ministry is imperilled.” The Duke of Argyll.

The events of 1750-1754 including the rise of the National Party and the fall of the Argyll ministry.

In the period leading up to 1750, the party structure within the Scottish Parliament had changed little. Throughout the period the Court party, ably led by Queensberry and Argyll maintained an iron grip on the governance of the realm. Events from 1750 until 1754 were to change this and ensure that the Argyll ministry fell.

On 2nd April 1750 in a meeting room at Parliament house, the leadership of the Squadrone Volante and the Country party met secretly. Their agenda was to create a new grouping which would bring down the government. Present were such notaries of the two parties as James Mills, the Earl of Erroll and Alan Sinclair. They agreed that the situation was to be ended. They had been meeting for days of talks and finally they agreed that a new grouping within Parliament should be formed to bring down the Government. As such, the National Party was formed. It was to be led by James Mills (1). They had a radical agenda including giving all property owners the vote. They were moving in such a route as to inspire change and bring them power.

Argyll had an agent within the room but decided to ignore the situation. This was to be his first mistake. He was banking that his base of support amongst the merchants and traders of the Royal Burghs for his support. He was unaware that the new party had been working away not only from the Royal Academy but also from the market places. Many were informed that they would benefit from regime change and were given promises on issues such as taxation. The message proved popular amongst many.

As such the new party gained more popular support, despite this though, the nation was stable. Change was seen by some as a risk. Scotland was as divided as at any time since the second convention of the Estates.

The decisive moment came in 1754, and it came over the French-Indian war(2). Argyll who was mindful of the policy of all Scottish ministries since the revolution and declared war on France. The move proved unpopular throughout the realm. Despite the fact the Scottish economy depended on the English colonies, the war was seen as an English war.

The timing was disastrous. In August, new elections were held. For the first time in the 18th Century the Court party found itself in opposition. James Mills became the second Chancellor of Scotland. The National party continued to support the war, on the proviso that the English garrisons in Scotland be removed. The English government agreed.

By the end of the year, the reform act had passed. All male landowners within Scotland would have the vote. Effectively 10% of the population now had the vote.


(1) This was no accident. Given the intention to increase the people who could vote, a commoner would be seen as popular at the head of their grouping.
(2) Happened as in OTL.

See below, Historic print of the Riding of the Scottish Parliament.

lastriding%20of%20the%201707scottish%20parliment.jpg

lastriding%20of%20the%201707scottish%20parliment.jpg
 
The decisive moment came in 1754, and it came over the French-Indian war(2).
Which as everyone knows happened in the 1740s not the 1750s. I originally decided that the date for Argylls downfall would be 1741, then changed my mind and changed the dates in the post, just never bothered thinking about the war!

Instead, the French-Indian Wars dent Argyll, whose authority is sapped until he loses in 1754. Sorry.:eek:
 
“We witness times of change, the type of which I believe we cannot control.” The Duke of Perth


The Mills Ministries until the American Revolution.

The period in which Mills became Chancellor saw a steady period of growth in the Scottish economy and, in general greater personal freedoms for the individual. This was allowed on the grounds that Scotland was more secure than at any time in memory. England was secure as an ally and the Jacobite threat receding greatly.

The increase in the ballot had helped encourage a growth in the Scottish political class throughout the period, bringing more tradesmen and citizens from the burghs into the decision making process. Many of them allied themselves with the regime which gave them more power.

The nationalistic side of the nation was also salved by the prompt exit of the English troops from Scottish borders, their garrisons in the main being taken up by Scottish regulars of the small Scottish Army.

1761 saw the Guard Act passed, in which all matters of policing would be given solely to Town and County Guards. This, whilst unpopular was effectively the establishment of a Scottish Police Force. This helped lower crime considerably, much to the consternation of the Company of Scotland who needed criminals to help both with the construction, to populate and to man the Hamilton State colony. Despite this their model colonial city of New Perth was completed in 1770. Opponents of the company remarked that it was "built on the blood, sweat and slavery of over ten thousand Scots and one hundred thousand Africans"(1).

The period also saw a vast rise in ostentatious living for the wealthy elite of the realm.(2) In the period between where Mills took office and 1770, over fifty great mansions were built in the nation. Of these around a third were for nobles who also had English titles. Privately it was acknowledged that whilst the union of the crowns had fallen apart, the union of the aristocracy who ruled both England and Scotland had grown together.

All the stability was to change in 1774-76, when the Americans rose against English rule(3). The Edinburgh government faced a tricky situation. The English were pushing heavily for active Scottish participation on the side of England, whereas the Americans secretly promised the Scots the same trading rights to the colonies whatever the outcome of the conflict, so long as they remain neutral. This was tricky as should Edinburgh go against England and the English won, then despite everything, trading rights within the colonies would be reduced to that of other European states.

Should they back the English though and the Americans somehow won, then they would equally lose trading rights. Mills consulted the leading nobles of the land. The head of the Company of Scotland, Sir Roderick Mackie advised neutrality biased towards England. In the end, this was the advice the Scottish Government followed. It was hoped that this would sate both sides.

Despite everything, the position over trade was becoming perilous.

(1) The Guards Act was made for the state to counter crime. It was a little too succesful for the companies
(2) The rich began to show off their wealth. 19 of the mansions however were owned by Anglo-Scots Lords and Ladies who only spent their summer months north of the border.
(3) The move was actually supported by many within the country. As such domestic political considerations also came into play here.

See below, one of the leaders of the Revolution. George Washington.

George Washington.jpg

George Washington.jpg
 
Nice stuff, Fletcher.

I'm a bit confused about what you say about the French and Indian war. OTL it did start about 1754 (in North America, though the 7 Years War didn't officially begin until 1756). Are you saying that you're moving the date? If so, how do you explain the American Revolution?

I'm interested to see how things turn out for the colonies with a yet divided Britain. If nothing else, with a differing precedent and no Act of Union, the Constitution could look fairly different.

Looking forward to more!
 
Nice stuff, Fletcher.

I'm a bit confused about what you say about the French and Indian war. OTL it did start about 1754 (in North America, though the 7 Years War didn't officially begin until 1756). Are you saying that you're moving the date? If so, how do you explain the American Revolution?
I'm saying I'm a fool.

I was aware I changed the fall of Argyll quite a bit and re-read it before I continued the timeline and for some reason got into my head the french-indian war was in the 1740s. Obviously I did think of it when I made post 22, and must have changed it and the reason for his downfall accordingly so disregard my stupidity in post 23. :eek:
 
Should they back the English though and the Americans somehow won, then they would equally lose trading rights. Mills consulted the leading nobles of the land. The head of the Company of Scotland, Sir Roderick Mackie advised neutrality biased towards England. In the end, this was the advice the Scottish Government followed. It was hoped that this would sate both sides.

Pff. Where's Smith when you really need him?
 
Nice work Fletcher. Interesting to see how Scotland adapts to the age of nationalism.
 
Awesome tl, I may even like it better than A Very British Divorce.

Just one thing, As the '45 Rebellion doesn't happen and the subsequent Highland Clearances don't happen, , just wondering how you're going to deal with all that extra population up there? And how will that affect the US/Canada/Australia/NZ who all got waves of Scots immigrants, in fact several of the Founding Fathers had connections to Scotland. Will Gaelic still have a holdout in the Highlands, rather than the odd sixty thousand nowadays? And the loss of all those profitable sheep, although that might be offset by New Perth?

In fact if the '45 doesn't happen what will England do for a national anthem! :eek:
 
Last edited:
Something about Britannia ruling the waves?
Written by a Scotsman...;)
Colonelgoth said:
Just one thing, As the '45 Rebellion doesn't happen and the subsequent Highland Clearances don't happen, , just wondering how you're going to deal with all that extra population up there?
There would be quite a bit of emmigration to the central belt from the Highlands, much as in OTL. Also, there would be more impetus to move to the Hamilton State colony.

Due to the Highlands being opened up though, highland and Gaelic culture is on the decline and gradually being replaced by one akin to lowland culture.

I'm going to concentrate on the Highlands in more detail when I get to the 19th c.
Colonelgoth said:
And how will that affect the US/Canada/Australia/NZ who all got waves of Scots immigrants, in fact several of the Founding Fathers had connections to Scotland.
Coming up shortly, the American Revolution....
 
I think it developed during George II's campaign's aganist the Jacobites. He was the last King to actually lead his armies in battle. So no rebellion no talk of God saving the king amidst rebellion and battle.

Or I may have my facts mixed up like a Trekie showing up at a Star Wars festival.
 
(9) Father of John Stuart Mills and a philosopher in his own right.

Not true, not even the name is correct here.:eek:

Same name, James Mill was the father of John Stuart Mill, and was indeed a Scot, but would have assumed office as a glint in his fathers eye had this been the case. As a slight change to my timeline, have another Character with a similar name assume office.

At least I added an S to the surname.............:rolleyes::eek::mad::eek::(
 
"You Cannae sell the Cow and sup the milk too."(1)

Times of Strife.

1774-1780

The period between 1774 and 1780 saw the seeds of the downfall of the Mills ministry sown. England’s American colonies declared independence and set about establishing a new nation. Scotland decided throughout this period to remain neutral, to the consternation of all.

Mills ran what he perceived to be the route least likely to destroy Scottish trade with the European continent and maintain her trading position with the American colonies. This satisfied neither the English nor the Americans nor anyone else involved. As such the policy was flawed from the outset.

The policy of neutrality was made even trickier by the son of the Scottish Chancellor, who was in the colonies at the time of the rising and openly backed the rebels. This fact was indeed raised in the English House of Commons in Westminster.

The son, William, was quickly and as quietly as possible, recalled to Edinburgh by his father, who was reportedly furious at the incident. It is pointed that he was sent to the Hamilton State Colony within the year, where he was to spend much the rest of his life, during which he set up the Hamilton State Abolition of Slavery League.

The result of the policy of neutrality meant that the English Royal Navy claimed right of search on all Scottish ships, and anything, including slaves who were deemed to have been on course for the colonies was stopped and turned around. The result was the Company of Scotland was forced to a far greater extent to farm the land of the small colony with sugar, tobacco and spices in an attempt to trade with the European powers.

The Americans also had issue with the Scots position though. Scotland was seen as a gateway through which England could gain goods which would be denied it by war with the colonies. As such an effort was made by the Americans not to trade with the Scots.

This was compounded in the year 1776, when the harvests in general failed throughout Scotland. Mills position was in doubt and fear gripped the nation. The mobs called for Scotland to take a stand whichever way. Despite this, Mills retained the same policy.

All of this was happening at a time where for the first time since William of Orange was King where people were starving on the streets. James Mills and the National Party was being seen increasingly as out of touch. This in itself was not a great thing but what was important was that this was true amongst the voting class.

At this time, the English Parliament voted for a restriction of Scottish trade should it win the revolutionary wars with the colonists. The Scottish trading class was furious at this move, but the culprit they blamed was their own Government who they saw was destroying a century of Scottish Government policies.

The Court Party also during this time was being secretly given more and more funding from the English Government of Lord North. It was decided at this time within the leadership of the Court Party that they would become the Liberals. Amongst the policies they offered the traders was a policy of support of the English Government in North America and a resumption of trade along the pre-revolution guidelines with the English.

All of this was to come to a head in the 1780 election of the Commissioners to the Scottish Estates. The new Liberal Party gained the majority of the available seats, not to mention a majority of the available peers. Charles Mackenzie became the Chancellor of Scotland.

Despite the fact the English were on the verge of being pushed out of the colonies, Scotland joined the war on the side of the Kingdom of England.

(1) Old Scottish Proverb. Meaning you cannot have it both ways.

See below, Customs House Dundee. Built in 1775 at a time of strife for the trading class was seen as a mistake imposed by the Mills Government.

Customs House..jpg

Customs House..jpg
 
The Americans also had issue with the Scots position though. Scotland was seen as a gateway through which England could gain goods which would be denied it by war with the colonies. As such an effort was made by the Americans not to trade with the Scots.

Nitpick: I doubt this; the colonies wanted to sell their goods abroad and buy stuff; this is why the Brits had launched a blockade, after all.
 
Top