What exactly IS the United Kingdom?

Question

Like who united what and when and even WHY

Not British but reading History at the mo. The answers I am getting here, (and all seem genuinely sincere) are not what I am reading in my text-books.

Answer 1

England and Scotland united in 1707.. For a 100 years previously they had shared the same monarchs, but were different countries with separate Parliaments and laws. In that year the parliaments in London and Edinburgh became one and the country became known as Great Britain. In 1803, Ireland was united and the three countries, plus the principality of Wales, became known as 'The United Kingdom of Britain and Ireland'. In the 20th century the Irish Republic became independent leaving only part of the province of Ulster united with Great Britain and so the name changed once again to that by which the country is currently known 'The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland'

Bush - read my lips - I said 'part of Ulster'

Answer 2

United Kingdom comprises of the historic kingdoms of England and Scotland, the principality of Wales, and the province of Northern Ireland.


How they were united:

England and Wales were the first regions to function under a single government. During the 13th century, England established control over Wales after several centuries of intermittent warfare. The two nations officially merged in 1536 and were known collectively as England.

Scotland and England moved toward union after the Scottish monarchs inherited the throne of England in 1603. Although a common ruler united these two countries, Scotland and England remained separate nations with separate governments. In 1707 the Scottish and English parliaments passed an Act of Union, which merged the formerly independent nations into the Kingdom of Great Britain.

The English established control over Ireland beginning in the 12th century, when English colonists invaded the island. They gradually established English domination over the entire island. Ireland remained a separate country under the rule of the English and British monarchs until the British Parliament passed the Act of Union of 1800. This act created the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.

However, opposition to the United Kingdom remained strong among Ireland’s predominantly Roman Catholic population. Many Irish citizens resented the long history of domination by Britain’s Protestant majority. In 1922 Ireland achieved its independence, although its six northern counties, where Protestants are in the majority, remained a part of the United Kingdom and the kingdom was then renamed the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Answer 3

It's England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales united to make up the United Kingdom, don't know who united it though.

Answer 4

redeng has got it almost right - not all Ulster is part of the UK - only 6 of the counties. Monahagn & Donegal are in Eire but still part of Ulster.

Scotland and England united for their own reasons. The advantage for England was that the threat of invasion by Catholic France was lessoned if they were united. (This is all due to the fact that the next 53 people in line for the throne were Catholics with Scottish and French connections and England want to appoint a protestant German - George).

The advantage for the Scottish is that they got access to the colonies for trading. (This was important after their own colonies in the Americas failed.)

It worked well for both sides as the stability it created allowed Britain to operate with reduced conflicts and improved trade - both factors which allowed the British Empire to flourish. Glasgow and Edinborough were built from the profits of Scotlands increased trade.

I hope you are not British and asking that question.

Answer 5

England,Scotland,wales and northern Ireland

Answer 6

wales,scotland england and northern ireland combined as a union.