The 20th Century: The Rise of Scottish Nationalism to Devolution

The history of modern Scotland is inseparable from that of England; it has been an legal part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland since the Union of 1707. However, because Scotland has its own identity, a movement developed to establish some sort of home rule. Therefore, it is necessary to review the economic, social and political issues affecting Scotland during the 20^th century to understand why the development of a separatist nationalism occurred.

The Scottish identity is an important starting point for explaining the causes of its nationalist movement. Several scholars and their theories will be utilized to aid in the understanding Scottish nationalism. The events that occurred in the early 20^th century are instrumental in creating specific conditions for contemporary nationalism. Further, Scottish nationalism has occurred in three waves. First, it began following the rise of post-materialist values in Europe until the economic crisis of the 1970s. Second, it arose in the late 1970s after the discovery of oil deposits in the North Sea off the shores of Scotland. Third, it finally culminated with successful devolution in 1997.