SHOULD SCOTLAND BECOME AN

INDEPENDENT COUNTRY?

ANALYZING THE SCOTTISH INDEPENDENCE QUESTION

IRC 10

OBJECTIVES • To develop an understanding of the issues surrounding the

2014 Scottish Independence Referendum

• To understand the benefits and disadvantages, both for the UK and Scotland, of Scotland becoming an independent country

• To understand the complexity of a decision such as this, and the far-reaching implications geographically, economically, socially and politically.

• To develop our research and presentation skills

• To follow along in real time with the voting and make predictions

• To analyze the vote results and interpret the implications for other nations around the world

KEY FACTS

• Scotland is part of the United Kingdom

• A Scottish Parliament was formed in 1999, though still dependent on the UK

• In May 2011, The Scottish National Party won the parliamentary election.

• The SNP’s main goal is to achieve independence from the UK

• This gave them a mandate to hold a referendum vote, to ask Scotland if they want to gain independence from the UK

• The Vote takes place next week!

KEY PLAYERS

The YES Campaign

• Led by First Minister Alex Sammond

KEY PLAYERS

The No Campaign

• Led by Alistair Darling, Labour MP for Edinburgh West

BASIC ARGUMENTS

YES, Scotland should become an independent country

• Scotland should be in control of its own destiny

• Too many decisions made by Westminster

• Oil – Scotland have a majority right to the North Sea oil and gas reserves

• Currency – Scotland want to keep the British Pound

Some of the benefits for Scotland……

• The right to make its own decisions and control its destiny

• Scotland has a strong economy with lots of potential

• Proposal to add more funds to the welfare budget to protect families, the elderly, university students etc.

BASIC ARGUMENTS

NO, Scotland should NOT become an independent country

• Britain is one of the most successful political and social unions

• Scotland is stronger under the UK

• Oil – this industry is in decline and so more important to stay united

• Currency – the UK believe an independent Scotland should not be able to use the pound

Some of the benefits of a union…

• Scotland has the best of both worlds…a parliament that can make decisions, while sharing the risks and the rewards of the UK

• Opportunity for further devolution with a ‘No’ vote

WHO GETS TO VOTE?

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

IRC 10 ANALYSIS1. Should Scotland Become an Independent Country PP• Introduction to the key issues

2. Scottish Independence: the essential guide • Background information on where this referendum came from

3. Scotland For Richer or Poorer BBC Documentary• An outline of the pros and cons of independence

4. Research/Presentation activity • Researching one side of the argument via articles, news reports, TV debates

and campaign websites

5. Presentation activity via Pecha Kucha style presentation• 6 minute presentation to sell your side of the argument followed by a

discussion of the key issues and prediction

6. Vote analysis • Review the voting results after they happen and discuss the implications for

Scotland, the UK and everyone else.