How Did The Enlightenment Change Scotland In The 18th Century

The Enlightenment period in the 17th and 18th centuries evoked new European politics, philosophy, science and communication in what is known as the Age of Reason. This brought forth books, scientific discoveries, wars and more laws. Specifically, after Anne I became Queen following the reign of William and Mary, an Act of Union was signed in 1707 making Scotland and England one sovereign state, known as Great Britain (Handout 2). Samuel Johnson’s account of 18th century Scotland as told in A Journey to the Western Island’s of Scotland in 1775, acknowledges the time frame of Scotland’s previous warlike culture transitioning into a society that is now under the control of England. The union of these two countries dramatically changed Scotland’s