Question

Who generally supported the Act of Union?
A) Highland Scots
B) Lowland Scots
C) Both A and B
D) Neither A nor B

Answer 1

Hint:
England and Scotland had been under the same monarchs since 1603. Scotland’s bargaining card was acquiescence in the Hanoverian succession; England’s was freedom of trade. To discuss the Union, the commissioners appointed by Queen Anne quickly accepted both points and they had agreed on a detailed treaty within three months.

Complete Answer:
The planning for a closer union miscarried after revolutions in 1688-89 and 1702-03, and in 1703-04 international tension provoked dangerous legislative warfare between the separate parliaments of Scotland and England. Both sides knew that an incorporating union offered the only mutually acceptable solution to a problem that had suddenly become urgent: England’s need for political safeguards against French attacks and a possible Jacobite restoration, for which Scotland might serve as a conveniently open back door and Scotland’s need for economic security and material assistance.
The Protestant succession was adopted, the two kingdoms were to be united, and trade was to be equal and free throughout Great Britain and its dominions. Subject to certain taxation, direct and indirect, temporary concessions would also be uniform; and England compensated Scotland for undertaking to share responsibility for England’s national debt by some payment. Scots law and the law courts were to be preserved. Scotland was given inadequate representation with 16 lords and 45 commoners in the united Parliament because of its relative poverty. By separate statutes annexed to the treaty, the Episcopal Church of England and the Presbyterian Church of Scotland were secured against change.
The Lowland Scots viewed the Highland Scots with hostility and they generally supported the Acts of Union.

Thus, option (B) is correct.

Note:
In January 1707, the Scottish Parliament passed the treaty with only minor amendments and the English also passed it soon after that. On March 6, the royal assent was given and the union went into effect on May 1, 1707.