As a partner in the British Empire, Scotland began the 20th century with an advanced economy and a world-beating heavy industry. But in the closing decades its sense of Britishness was in doubt and a Scottish Parliament sat in Edinburgh for the first time since 1707. Charting Scotland's darkest century, Neil Oliver discovers a country driven to self-determination through a series of economic crises so deep that her most striking export became her own disillusioned population.
In the 20th century, Scotland's old industry decayed even worse then England's. After the Great War arms effort, this meant low wages, high unemployment, dependency on British aid. Various opinions conflicted whether Scotland should rely on English solidarity, strive for full independence or accept an in-between autonomous status, known as Devolution. The last won out in the end, after the discovery of North Sea oil in the 'Scottish' part of UK territorial waters. - KGF Vissers
From the late 19th century, thousands upon thousands of Scots emigrated from their homeland. Scotland entered the 20th century boasting one of the strongest economies in Europe. Engineering works - bridges, boilers, ships - were all a mainstay of the economy. Locally produced coal was central to that success as was the development of steel. After World War I, heavy industry collapsed leading to unemployment and another tide of emigration. For those who remained behind, the idea of home rule began to gain some traction. The Scottish National Party was born in the 1930s and elected it's first MP in a by-election in 1967 and as the British economy spiraled downward, Scottish nationalism rose. The concept of devolution - having an elected Assembly to deal with solely Scottish issues - took shape and a referendum was held but an insufficient majority was attained. The election of Margaret Thatcher gave devolution a new start and in 1999 the Scottish Parliament was created. - garykmcd
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