lit nm n United Kingdom?

cotland has been part of Scottish writer and tour guide who Tensions between Scotland and the United Kingdom (U.K.) supports Scottish independence. England go back 2,000 years. In for more than 300 years. "We will turn back 300 years of 122 A.D., the Romans controlled That's long enough, if you history." most of Britain. But the Emperor Sask Euan Ingram, a senior at the Salmond, for his part, calls that Hadrian gave up on subduing the University of Glasgow. period of time 300 years of "sub• Scottish tribes of the north. He built "We want to strike out on our ordination"—or submission—to a 73-mile wall to keep the "barbar• own on the world stage," says England. England's people make ians" out of Roman Britain. (Much Ingram, a supporter of Scotland's up 84 percent of the U.K.'s popula• of the wall still exists today.) independence movement. "It's a tion of 63 million, compared with By the 11th century, Scotland's fallacy that we need England to Scotland's 8 percent. For centuries, battling tribes had come together survive. I don't buy that at all." political power in the U.K. has to form a kingdom. From the start, In January, Scotland's First Min• been centered in the majestic Par• England was Scotland's greatest ister, Alex Salmond, said that he liament buildings in London. rival, as it sought to gain control of wanted to hold a referendum in "I will fight with everything I its northern neighbor. 2014. The question he would ask: have to keep our United Kingdom In 1297, the Scottish hero "Do you agree that Scotland should together," says David Cameron, William Wallace, played by Mel be an independent country?" Prime Minister of the U.K. Gibson in the movie Braveheart, led The announcement set off a But that sentiment might not be one of the most famous rebellions political firestorm. Since 1707, enough. "The days of politicians in against English domination. Wal• Scotland has been part of the London telling Scotland what to do lace was considered so dangerous U.K.—today a country that and what to think ... are over," that after he was captured in 1305, includes England, Wales, and says Salmond. the English hanged, beheaded, Northern Ireland (see map). If Scot• disemboweled, and quartered the land were to secede, it could signal Long Memories rebel leader. the beginning of the end of the In Scotland, past battles and long In a place where memories are United Kingdom. memories are part of any struggle long, the proposed date of the ref• "It will be hugely historic if it for the future. Most battles have erendum also has historical happens," says Carolyn Mclntyre, a been with England (see Key Dates). continued on p. 12 +

10 JUNIOR SCHOLASTIC / MAY 14, 2012

A122 A.D. HADRIAN'S WALL A129? WILLIAM WALLACE SCOTLAND Emperor Hadrian orders the William Wallace (played by Mel building of a wall across Gibson in Braveheart) leads a AND ENGLAND: Roman Britain to keep rebellion against the English. the "barbaric" tribes of Wallace is later killed, but the KEY DATES Scotland out of England, fight is continued by Robert the northernmost part of the Bruce, leading to Scottish the Roman Empire. independence in 1328. symbolism. The year 2014 will be land's King James VI to also ascend Scots. Parliament in London has the 700th anniversary of the Battle to the English throne as James I. responded with "devolution," the of Bannockburn. In June 1314, Finally, in 1707, a bankrupt process of granting Scotland limited King Robert the Bruce led a vastly Scotland joined with England self-governing powers. outnumbered Scottish army to vic• under the Act of Union. Scotland's In 1999, for the first time since tory over the English. Fourteen Parliament was disbanded, and its 1707, members of a Scottish Parlia• years later, England recognized representatives took seats in a Par• ment took their seats in the capital Scotland's independence. liament of Great Britain in London. of Edinburgh. The new Parliament But Scotland's leaders also Even at the time, unifica• was given control over health, sought political and military alli• tion was widely denounced as a education, and transportation ances with England when they had betrayal. "We are bought and sold issues, while leaving foreign affairs, to. Members of the two royal fami• for English gold," the great Scottish defense, and taxation to London. lies even married each other. That poet Robert Burns wrote. The hope in London was that made it possible, in 1603, for Scot- this step would end calls for Scottish Identity independence. "Devolution will For centuries, many Scots kill nationalism stone dead," one WORDS TO KNOW have held on to a fiercely Scottish English politician said. identity: wearing kilts, playing Then last May, Alex Salmond's • Britain (n): the island of England, bagpipes, and flying the blue-and- Scottish National Party (SNP) Scotland, and Wales white Scottish flag rather than the shocked everyone by winning a • nationalism (n): a desire for British Union Jack. majority in the Scottish Parliament. independence among a people; a "The awareness of past inde• With the SNP in power, indepen• strong devotion to one's country pendence never quite faded," says dence again became a hot issue. • referendum (n): an occasion Scottish journalist Neal Ascherson. This has put Prime Minister when the people of a place vote In recent years, a sense of Cameron in a bind. Cameron's directly on a proposal nationalism has intensified among ancestors on his father's side are

12 JUNIOR SCHOLASTIC/MAY 14, 2012 A1586 A1603 JAMES 1707 GREAT BRITAIN 1999 PARLIAMENT A 2012 THE FUTURE? MARY, QUEEN OF SCOTS James VI, King The Act of Union joins For the first time A young man waves Mary plots to overthrow her of Scotland England, Scotland, and since 1707, a Scottish the Scottish national cousin Queen Elizabeth I of and Mary's son Wales into a single Parliament assembles flag above Scotland's England, but the scheme is (pictured as an kingdom, Great Britain. in Edinburgh. It has Parliament building in foiled. The English find her infant with his In 1801, Ireland becomes limited powers but Edinburgh (near left). guilty of treason, and she's mother), is named part of the Union—now inspires a desire for beheaded in 1587. James I of England. called the United Kingdom. independence.

Scottish. But breaking up the Union while Salmond, eager for time to Andrew Barr, a college student is an issue that "matters head, build support, is sticking with 2014. in Edinburgh, agrees with Salmond. heart, and soul" to him, Cameron "It's time for the people of Scotland said in a plea to the Scottish Par• The Biggest Decision to take their rightful place in the liament in February. "Our shared What do Scots think? In a global community as an equal and home is under threat." January poll, 39 percent backed independent nation," he says. While Cameron has reluctantly full independence. In a later To many in the U.K., the agreed to Scotland's referendum, he poll, a clear majority favored possible departure of Scotland is arguing with Salmond over what remaining in the U.K. but with raises a critical question: Would it will ask and when it will be held. much greater autonomy. the rest of the U.K. hold together? The Prime Minister would prefer Prime Minister Cameron contin• The breakup of an important a different question on the ballot, ues to believe that most Scots will Western power "could have a such as: "Do you want Scotland vote against leaving the U.K. "You huge impact on international to leave the United Kingdom?" He can be prouder of your Scottish her• politics," says Blaire Robertson, believes that wording might cause itage than your British heritage," he 18, a student at Scotland's some Scots to think twice about said recently, "and still believe that University of St. Andrews. abandoning their "shared home." Scotland is better off in Britain." Regardless of how they'll vote, Cameron also objects to a There are also many questions most Scots agree that the referen• second question that Salmond about how an independent Scot• dum is a big deal. proposes: In place of complete land could survive without the "This is the biggest decision independence, would Scottish vot• financial might of the U.K. that Scotland has had to face in ers want to stay in the U.K. with Still, Salmond insists that 300 years," says Grant Costello, substantial new powers for the Scotland would be better off on its leader of the Scottish Youth Party. Scottish Parliament? own. For one thing, it could claim "It will affect the lives of everyone On top of all that, Cameron most of the valuable North Sea oil, in Scotland." ".vants the vote to be held soon, which is now in the U.K.'s hands. —Mary Harvey

MAY 14, 2012 / JUNIOR SCHOLASTIC 13 14 APSFARfH WHAT'S IN A NAME? What's the difference between Great Britain and THE U.K the United Kingdom? The island of Great Britain consists of England, Scotland, and Wales. When you add Northern Ireland to the mix it becomes the United Kingdom. FAST FACTS AREA: 94,458 sq mi (U.S.: 3,717,796 sq mi) POPULATION: 63 million (U.S.: 312 million) WHO'S IN LINE? LANGUAGES: English; regional Prince Charles is next in line to be King of Britain, followed by William, his first son, languages, such as Scots, Welsh, then Harry, the younger son. Under and Gaelic, are also spoken centuries-old rules, male heirs to the monarch came first, even if a daughter RELIGIONS: Christian (Anglican, was older. But a change enacted in 2011 Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, now allows any first-born, regardless of gender, to ascend to the throne. ATLANTIC Methodist), 72%; Islam, 3%; Hindu 1%; other, 25%* OCEAN

PER CAPITA GDP: $34,800 (U.S.: $48,100) % OF POP. UNDER 15:17% IRELAND (U.S.: 20%) For centuries, the English controlled Ireland and tried to impose their Protestant faith on the largely LITERACY: 99% (U.S.: 99%) Catholic island. Most of Ireland won its autonomy in 1921, and full independence in 1937. The LIFE EXPECTANCY: 78, males; northern six counties with a Protestant majority 82, females (U.S.: 75/80) stayed in the U.K., becoming Northern Ireland. *Numbers don't add up to 100 because of rounding.

PRINCE OF WALES In 1283, King Edward I of England conquered Wales and Write QUESTIONS your answers on a separate sheet of paper. executed its Prince. Soon after, 1. What are the four main parts 6. What river runs through London? Edward gave the title Prince of Wales to his son. Ever since, it of the United Kingdom? 7. About how many miles separate has been held by the next male 2. What is the capital of Northern Lerwick and Kirkwall in the heir to Britain's throne. Prince Ireland? Orkney and Shetland islands? William's father, Charles, is the current Prince of Wales. 3. The capital of Scotland sits 8. How did Northern Ireland become near which waterway? separate from Ireland? 4. What are the chief languages 9. Which main part of Great Britain spoken in the U.K.? is farthest west? 5. Which Scottish city is located 10. Which fact here surprises you at about 56°N, 4'W? most? Why? EQUATOR

14 JUNIOR SCHOLASTIC/MAY 14, 2012 KILTS Men and boys in the Scottish Highlands have AHOY! worn kilts since Shetland boat the 16th century builders today use designs and NORWAY methods very similar to those of their Viking ancestors. ~58°N

O National capital Capital • City WILL o Town or village &KATE International border The storybook romance — Internal border

between Prince William and 0 50 Ml Kate Middleton began when Scale: I 1 1 both were students at the 50 100 KM University of St. Andrews. Note: London is the capital of England Will chose Scotland's oldest and the United Kingdom. university in part to get away from the glare of royal life in England.

OLYMPIC RECORD This year will be London's third time (a record) hosting the Summer Olympics. More than 5 million foreign visitors are expected from July 27 to August 12, with 18 million meals to be served in the Olympic Village.

Amsterdam o NETHERLANDS Oxford , • London 61

River Ttomes Greenwich ^ Folkestone* Southampton Brighton / I Channel Brussels GERMANY Exeter Tunnel © ISLE OF (The Chunnell c c Sea WIGHT BELGIUM S0°H English Channel

CHANNEL ALDERNEY LUXEMBOURG ISLANDSK (U.K.I \ GUERNSEY ^

Gulf of TWIST & SHOUT" St. Mato • Beatles put British pop music on the map •M 1960s. Today's top artists include THECHUNNEL de, Coldplay, and Calvin Harris, who FRANCE Since 1994, this underwater rail -= Rihanna's "We Found Love." tunnel has linked England and France. It's only a three-hour ride between London and Paris. Name: ______Date: ______Per: _____ Log #:______

The Not-So-United Kingdom

Article Questions:

1. When did Scotland become part of the U.K.? ______

2. What percent of the U.K. is made of English citizens? ______

What percent of the U.K. is made up of Scottish citizens? ______

3. Why is the year of the proposed date of the referendum (2014) historically symbolic for the

people of Scotland? ______

______

4. What was the purpose of the Act of Union? ______

______

5. What does “nationalism” mean? ______

______

6. What is one cultural trait that the Scottish have held on to? ______

______

7. What percentage of Scots wanted full independence in a January 2012 poll? ______

8. What is a potential problem that Scotland might face if it gained its independence? ______

______

9. What would be a positive outcome for the Scots if they gained their independence? ______

______

10. What do YOU think Scotland should do? Why? ______

______

______

Map Questions:

1. What are the four main parts of the United Kingdom? ______

______

2. What is the capital of Northern Ireland? ______

3. The capital of Scotland sits near which waterway? ______

4. What are the chief languages spoken in the U.K.? ______

______

5. Which Scottish city is located at 56° N, 4° W? ______

6. What river runs through London? ______

7. About how many miles separate Lerwick or Kirkwall in the Orkney and Shetland islands? ____

8. How did Northern Island become separate from Ireland? ______

______

9. Which main part of Great Britain is farthest west? ______

10. Which fact here surprises you most? Why? ______

______

______