British unionism

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British unionism or Unionism is a belief in the continued political union between the countries of the United Kingdom.

The history of the United Kingdom begins with the political union between the kingdoms of England (which included Wales) and Scotland on 1 May 1707. This event was the result of the Treaty of Union that was agreed on 22 July 1706,^[1] and then ratified by both the Parliament of England and Parliament of Scotland each passing an Act of Union. Prior to this, the kingdoms of England and Scotland had been separate states though in personal union since the Union of the Crowns in 1603, when James VI of Scotland succeeded his cousin Elizabeth I as James I of England. The 1707 Union created the United Kingdom of Great Britain,^[2] which shared a single constitutional monarch and a single parliament at Westminster. A further Act of Union in 1800 added the Kingdom of Ireland to create the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.

The term "Loyalist" may be used as a synonym for a British unionist or, in the case of the United Kingdom's external possessions - particularly in the British Empire, someone who is otherwise loyal to the Crown or the British government. In modern times, the term has taken on a somewhat militant connotation in relation to Northern Ireland.^[3]

[edit] See also

• Unionism in Ireland
• Unionism in Scotland
• Unionism in England
• Unionism in Wales
• Separatism in the United Kingdom
• Nationalism in the United Kingdom
• Conservative and Unionist Party

[edit] Notes

1. ^ "Articles of Union with Scotland 1707". www.parliament.uk. http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/pathways/citizenship/rise_parliament/docs/articles_union.htm. Retrieved on 19October 2008. 
2. ^ "THE TREATY or Act of the Union". www.scotshistoryonline.co.uk. http://www.scotshistoryonline.co.uk/union.html. Retrieved on 27 August 2008. 
3. ^ CAIN: Glossary of Terms on Northern Ireland Conflict