when did the UK become a country?

Question

How long do you think this Union will last?

The world is made up of over 200 countries - England, Scotland, Wales and N Ireland are not in the list. UK is in the list.

Answer 1

England and Wales have been one country since the 16th century. However England/Wales and Scotland were not united until later. The crowns were joined under James (known as James VI in Scotland and James I in England) in 1603. However they were still two separate kingdoms, even if they had the same king, until the Act of Union was passed in 1707.

At that point the country was the Kingdom of Great Britain. The United Kingdom wasn't formed until 1801, when another Act of Union was passed to join Great Britain with Ireland (the whole of Ireland, at that point). In 1920, the Republic of Ireland was given independence, leaving us with the UK as we know it today.

So for all those people who think the United Kingdom has been around for ever - it's less than 100 years old in its current form, and a maximum of 206 years old anyway.

As to how long it will last, I don't think it will last much longer. Globalisation means there is less and less need for countries to club together to make larger countries, and the SNP may well win the argument for Scottish independence. If they do, there may not be any will to stop Northern Ireland following suit.

Answer 2

the uk isnt a country. wales, england,scotland and ireland are all countries that make up the united kingdom and im sure it will last forever aswell

Answer 3

Obviously the UK will last forever, thats if theres any real British people left over here in the future, but this country needs to recognize and sort out its biggest problems now, as the government doesn't seem to make any real positive changes that don't involve increasing taxes... that seems to be their answer to everything.

Answer 4

england wales and scotland became under the same crown/country in 1707. then add ireland takes us up to 1800, then 1922 roi became i ndependent so it was named The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. i think this union will last untill scotland vote snp if they ever do...

Answer 5

Well the first act took place 1st of may 1707 joining parliament of Scotland and england and its going to last forever.

Answer 6

Do you mean when it detached itself from what is now North America or when it became England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland? I dont know the answer to either.

Answer 7

Paul S is correct. We're moving away from North America at a rate of 5 cm per year. When they were formed, the Scottish mountains were an extension of the Appalachians

Answer 8

Despite conflicts in Northern Ireland, in my view it will probably last forever. And to the answer above, England did not DETACH ITSELF FROM AMERICA. The United States is made up of immigrants from mostly European countries. England came WELL before America, dumbass.

Answer 9

Marigold, he was being sarcastic. He meant lierally the continent North America. And you do know, North America is made up of other countries besides the United States. I thought it was funny.

Answer 10

It didn't. It 's not a country.