Research Of Scottish National Movement 1918-1934

In the process of world history development, when one country is from strength to strength, it’s domestic cohesive force will be enhanced little by little, it’s national identity will be steady, and it’s national unity will be guaranteed. At the same time, when one country’s comprehensive national strength began to decline, it’s national unity and stability will not be guaranteed, and perhaps it will be divided into a few countries., especially the multi-ethnic country. As a multi-ethnic country, UK had proved that the phenomenon was real. Before and after the end of the first world war, the domestic economic and social problem was very serious as the comprehensive national power of UK declined. The modern Scottish national movement appeared under the impact of the ideological trend of nationalist in Europe and The Ireland independence movement.The obvious symbol of the appearance of the Scottish national movement before and after the end of the first world war was the appearance of the national movement organizations. There were some famous national movement organizations, such as Scottish Home Rule Assotiation, Scots National League, Glasgow University Scottish Nationalist Association, Scottish National Movement, and so on. These political organizations put forward the proposal of self-government or independence on the basis of the serious economic and social problems. As nationalist organizations, they cooperated mutually. But because their ideas were different, they fought with each other also. Scottish Home Rule Assotiation carried out the policy of pressure group and tried to force the main political parties of UK to support the reconstruction of Scottish parliament which would give the right of self-government to the Scotsman. They submitted the Home Rule Bill to the British parliament many times and expected the private members to support these bills over and over, but the results hit them ruthlessly always. The expanding of British voting right in 1920s-1930s provided for Scottish nationalists the precious opportunity to form the national party and contend the elections. The Scottish nationalists had realized that the policy of pressure group was invalid after the fature of the Buchanan’s bill 1924, especially after the fature of the Barr’s bill 1927. So they begun to band together, and achieved the strength integration in 1928, building a new political party---National Party of Scotland, and contending the parliament seats. Under the influence of the appearance of the concept of British Commonwealth, National Party of Scotland formulated their objective of the struggle in detail and declared to seek the independence for Scotland within the British Commonwealth of Nations. Although National Party of Scotland strived to participate in all levels of the election activities, especially contend the parliament seats, but failured always and gained the support rate about 13-15% only, even 3.57% once. Another national party---Scottish Party was formed in September 1932 and it advocated the model of Northern Ireland which was moderate. November 1933, SP and NPS cooperated hand in hand in Kilmarnock by-election, although failuring still but gaining the highest support rate 16.8% since the nationalists contending the election. Under the propelling of the two enthusiasts, SP and NPS merged in April 1934 and formed a brand new national party--- Scottish National Party, achieving another strength integration in the history of Scottish national sports.It was the start-up period of Scottish national movement cause from 1918 to 1934. Scottish nationalists had prepared for the power and the theory of Scottish national movement. From the power preparation, National Party of Scotland found in 1934 after Scottish nationalist’s struggle and cooperation. Although some members of the party who advocated independence and another members who advocated self-government fought intensely, but the party was stable on the whole to this day and has become the governing party of Scotland.It was the initial stage of national movement cause in Scotland from 1918 to 1934.Although this cause didn’t make great progress in this period, but it had laid the foundation of organization and theory. Since then, SNP was the political organization who lead the national movement of Scotland. The influence of SNP wasn’t strong and it’s objective of the struggle was self-government and not independence in 1930s. But SNP little by little became an party who’s objective was to seek Scottish independence. now SNP is a political power who can stir the political situation in British and even affect the fate of UK.