The seventeenth and eighteenth century Scottish herring fishery: The effect of the 1707 Treaty of Union and its impact on early modern Great Britain

With the election of Scotland's own parliament, the 1707 Treaty of Union between England and Scotland has received new attention. Traditionally historians argued that the Union was passed by far-sighted politicians for the benefit of both Scotland and England. However, revisionists argue that the political Union between England and Scotland was only enacted for the benefit of England. Moreover, some revisionists argue that even though the Scottish economy improved in the eighteenth century, the Union was not the cause.; The Scottish herring fishing industry serves as an excellent example of an industry that experienced tremendous growth during the eighteenth century and contributed to the greater wealth of Scotland. This essay investigates the dramatic improvement of the Scottish fishing industry in order to illustrate the benefits that Scotland received directly from policies set forth by a united parliament of Great Britain. By examining new markets, increased regulation and subsidies, it is possible to demonstrate the direct relationship between the official actions of the British Parliament and the success of the Scottish herring industry. In addition an investigation is made of the economics of the herring industry in order to determine how much it affected the economy. Also it weighs in on the argument over protectionism and free trade by investigating the mechanics of a subsidized early modern industry and determining whether or not the subsidies worked.