Overall Impact of the Empire on Scotland

Overall Impact of the Empire on Scotland

1. Social and Cultural Impact

   • Positive
     • Relieved Problems of overcrowding and unemployment
     • Profits improved living standards
     • Indian-grown tea became a staple of the Scottish diet
     • Scotland's cultural profile was raised internationally through education, Church of Scotland, Highland games, and Caladonian societies
     • Provided career opportunities
   • Negative
     • Scotland was being emptied of its most enterprising spirits because of emmigration
     • Scottish workers suffered worse living conditions than the English

2. Economic Impact

   • Positive
     • Entrepreneurs able to make huge fortunes
     • Helped Scottish banks to prosper
     • Shipbuilding prospered, especially in Glasgow
     • Stimulated the travel industry
   • Negative
     • Emigration of workers shifted the balance of economic power to the Empire and away from Scotland
     • Over-reliance of Scottish economy on heavy industries meant it was vulnerable to declines in international trade.
     • The Empire had become a competitor to many Scottish industries eg. Jute in Dundee

3. Political Impact

   • Positive
     • Scotland's position within the UK after 1707 offered many Scots the opportunity to participate in the development of the Empire (OPINION)
     • Raised Scotland's international profile
   • Negative
     • Scotland's role in helping to create the British Empire has meant that Scotland's own history has been tied to that of the UK as a whole (OPINION)