Comrade wrote:Why would Scotland want Independence... What has the UK ever done to harm it?
The way Scotland was conquered, was very brutal and cruel. England and Scotland had been early kingdoms before the Midievil Times.
What happened, was, in 1290, the Queen of Sctoland had died, and the Scottish didn't know who to put as new King/Queen. So, the King of England, Edward I, said he had the right to be the new King of Scotland, and make a Union of the two countries(as well as with Wales, who was already conquered) England successfully conquered Scotland, and not too long after that, the Scottish rose up. England was hit hard but the Scottish uprising, but towards the end of the war, England was able to mobolize strong enough forces to take down the Scottish Army. The leader of the uprsing, William Wallace was executed as well as a few his top advisors/commanders.
In 1512, during the Middle Ages, England was hit hard with very weak kings, which gave Scotland the chance to rise up, and form their own Kingdom again. Scotland, with their new king, James IV, attacked England, and won many battles during Englands decline. But, when he died in battle, the war was immediately over, James IV's duaghter, Marry took the thrown as new Queen of Scotland. Though, she was in France, and unable to return to her kingdom. Once she made it back, she was imprisioned and killed when England had conquered Scotland.
This was the last major uprising of the Scottish. The Scottish, as well as the Irish and Welsh were treated so harshly from the British, because they contiuned to uprise. Many Scottish, Welsh and Irish had made political parties further in history that completely agreed with British rule, just to save themselves, though some really did beleive in British Rule.
All 3 countries that England conquered(not so much of the Welsh) were harshly treated, not given food when they needed it(Such as the Potato Famine in Ireland, driving away 7 million irish people, cutting down England's population by a lot) and England only stepped in the lands only to enforce their military power, or education circiculum. Britian had even banned anyone from talking Irish or Scottish, anyone who did was killed on the spot by a policemen, or a soldier. This caused the languages to die out.
Don't want to get too into it, but all 3 countries were put into so much turmoil, harsh treating, neglectence, that it's pitiful that England did that. Though now, thanks to Queen Elizabeth, she brought all the countries together, giving them the ability to make their own Government, control their own people with their Constitution(though major issues with be worked with both the countries government and the British Government, or solely the British Government) and even make their own military devisions to join the British Army, and countless other freedoms. Queen Elizabeth brought all cultures together under unity and equality. Though just because she did that, doesn't mean the nations don't want independence. It's only natural that Scotland still wants independence.
And, i think England should give them independence either way. Britian has always harshly treated their conquered subjects, those who object their rule. It's so obvious that conquered people will object rule, thats why you give them rights in the first place, not say, "Be with us or Die" which was basically their motto.