October question #2
Consider Scotland's recent vote to determine independence from the UK. Countries such as China and Russia were hoping that Scotland would NOT vote for independence. Why not? What promises did the British government make to Scotland in the hopes that the vote would, indeed, be a "no" vote? Draw parallels between these promises and the hopes/fears of the Whigs and Tories during the era of the American Revolution.
The countries that were rooting against Scotland's independence vote were doing it because they were afraid that if Scotland actually gained independence that it would have lead to it being an example to people within their own country to secede if there is already talk of it happening.
ReplyDeleteOther countries were hoping that Scotland would still be part of the UK, because their already made trades and alliances would change, everything would now have to be reorganized and readjusted. Besides the economic problems it would bring, China for example, has the island of Taiwan trying to become independent and they made clear their position of not accepting it. Having the independence of Scotland would not be good, for it may bring the feeling of freedom back to Taiwan.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry Bruna. China does not own Taiwan, so you can't say China has an island of Taiwan. Taiwan is not officially independent, but we are not under China's rule either. Technically, it's an self-governing island. Plus, we are independent in economics, jurisdictions, and politics, we are bascically be in the line with independent.
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DeleteCountries such as China and Russia were hoping that Scotland doesn't get their independence since it could cause many financial and economic problems; because of the trade between those countries that has already been established. The British government promised Scotland that they will have extra powers (depending on the voting results). They also promised Scotland new powers ahead of key independence votes. These promises of extra powers to Scotland, is something that may affect Russia and China; which might be the cause why these countries are against Scotland's independence.
ReplyDeleteIsabella C - Guatemala
Russia and China were apreensive about Scotland's vote of independence because they got worried that this separatist movement could cause an independence outbreak in their own territories and result in the separation of some of their important regions, such as Tibet. That even happened in other regions of the world, as in Cataluinia in Spain. England promised Scotland more saying in political matters.
ReplyDeleteFelipe Penna, Brasil
It is obvious that the reasons UK does not want Scotland to be independent because that way will weaken the power of UK and it could threaten the position that UK has today. Even though UK government does not want Scotland to be independent, UK still set up a vote for the Scottish people to decide whether they want to be part of the United Kingdom or they want to be independent. The vote was also open for the people who live in Scotland and the teenagers who are above 16 or 16 years old which shows the real democracy that UK has. On the other hand, why are the communists countries such as China hopes the Scotland stays in UK? There are 2 answers to that question. First one , it can affect the trade between these 2 countries, many things will change after Scotland earns its independence, for example, they need a new currency. Also, the oil under North sea( the sea located between britain and contienntal Europe) will belongs to Scotland or UK? Second one, China simply can't accept "independence". China is a communist country which controls social media, net work, freedom of politics...etc. The Chinese government did not comment on this topic, they also don't want its people to know about the topic because the Chinese people don't have right to choose their government. If the people know about this topic, it gives the educational meaning that people can actually choose their own government. Same thing happen in Tibet, Tibet wants to gain its independence, however, they suffered from the bloody overwhelm for over 60 years. (still happening today)
ReplyDeleteI think the sunflower movement( anti-China) happened in Taiwan, the umbrella movement( the right to vote their own headman) happening in Hong Kong now and this vote Scotland gains independence or not scared China at least a little bit about people wants real democracy. Let's hope China can finally give up on communism and toward democracy, stop being greedy, free Tibet and Hong Kong. Most importantly, stop planning on merge Taiwan!
Sofiana Safi
ReplyDeleteThe developed government for Scotland has a range of responsibilities, which includes; health, education, justice, rural affairs,and the environment. Although, some powers are reserved to the UK government and that includes; immigration, the constitutions, foreign policy and defense. Also, the biggest counties like Russia and china didn't vote or want that Scotland get their independence from UK because it will cause political, finical and economical problems. If the Scotland get their independence they have to repair a new government with new economic system because they don't want to be EU.But Scotland has the resource and fiances to become independent and its their money. Even the Unionists agreed that Scotland has what it takes to become independent and the people of Scotland will be better financially. Not even that there will be more jobs, "the future government of Scotland already has plans for creating good healthcare and improve the situation for pensioners and people"The government said they will keep the minimum wages,and tax etc. Although, some people aren't sure about that, but personally if Scotland get their independence they may create more jobs,and good healthcare for the people with children and those who need help, but it will take more time to make a new government. Also, people of Scotland wants their independence because of of equal wages. The difference in wages in UK compared to Scotland is huge because the rich people get more richer and the poor get more poorer.we want peace for both countries rather then, why they should fight for the political decision or suffer to have compromise government. " i hope everybody thinks very carefully about the future". David Beckham . And I want them to be agree for what they want.
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ReplyDeleteMany countries, especially Russia and China were very against of Scotland getting the independence from the U.K., for the following reasons. First of all, because of the economical treated with those countries and U.K were included Scottish resources, and that could cause problems with both U.K. and Scotland and the other countries. England promised more power to Scotland in case of a “no” vote and more influence of U.K..
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DeleteChina and Russia were hoping that Scotland wouldn't get the independence because it could provoke economic problems. Moreover, the British government promised Scotland extra powers . A "yes" vote on the independence could make Russia and China upset. They may be afraid that independence movements could start also in their own "home" causing internal divisions.
ReplyDeleteCristiano Battista
Italy
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DeleteI think the fact Britain promised Scotland extra powers is going to cause a lot of strife within the UK. I think more countries are either going to ask for this "extra power" or more countries are going to try for independence. Either way I'm sure the UK's economy is going to drastically change.
DeleteScotland has been trying to win their independence from the United Kingdom for a really long time. Countries like China and Russia were hoping that Scotlond would not vote for indepence because they didn’t
ReplyDeletewanted Scotland to be an imdependent country.
Countries like China and Russia didn't want Scotland to gain independence and become and independent country from the U.K .This would mean that in China and Russia could be facing an obstacle against willingness of gaining independence in their country as well. If Scotland gains its independence ,the people of the country in China and Russia will gain courage against creating and independence outbreak.
ReplyDeleteScottland wants to be free from the United Kingdom because they will have more economic opportunity if they separate their companies from their ties with Britain. Also they think that their culture, religion and government are being forgotten because Britain’s traditions are overlapping their history. However, Britain doesn’t want them to separate because they do have a lot of big companies alliances that would be possibly bankrupt if they were to be broken. Same thing applies to Russia and China not wanting Scottland’s independence because they have big alliances with Britain. I don’t know about the promises that they made but I believe that they promised to treat Scottland as a separate country even if they are not really a separate country. I think its good that they didn’t separate because they are a part of the United Kingdom and if they separated it would not be United Kingdom anymore. Its as if Catalunia/Barcelona separated from Spain.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, Russia and China didn't want Scotland to have their independence from the UK because the believed it could influence other part of the World (especially in their own countries) to also want an independence. Secondly, a "free" Scotland could make the British economy weaker, that certainly would affect all the rest of the World with crashes in strong companies that have relations with them.
ReplyDeleteThere were multiple reasons why some countries did not want scotland to become independant.the main reason for scotland to be denied independence was that countries such as russia and china had been using scotland as a trading network or "node" to other countries. If scotland were to become independant, they would have the choice to revoke trading with in them.
ReplyDeleteAdam.osgood
France/usa
One of the reasons that China or Russia don't want Scotland to gain independence is because of the example they are going to give to countries that also want to be independent from china or Russia. British also don't want it, because their economy is going to be affected, and they want to have guaranteed alliance.
ReplyDeleteCountries such as China and Russia were hoping that Scotland would say "no" to independence because they were scared that the people living in their country would start thinking about having independence and would revolt. The British government was also hoping that Scotland would not gain independence because it would have affected its economy. We can draw parallels between Scotland wanting independence and the Whigs and Tories because, at their time, they wanted to be independent from England and it's government because, when England wasn't taking care of its colonies because of the war going on in Europe the colonies were left on their own and had to "survive" without the help of the British government. And now that the war was over in Europe, England was suddenly interested in its colonies and taxing them. The Whigs and Tories wanted to make decisions on their own about taxes, like Scotland wanted to be independent from the British government.
ReplyDeleteMathilde Oberlé
From France
Other powers of the world hoped that Scotland would vote to stay under the U.K. because it might have demonstrated to their own territories that even if they were given the option of independence, it would be in their best interest to stay under the rule of a "Superpower".
ReplyDeleteThis must have been a difficult decision for the people for Scotland much like the the early colonists when voting for independence. Like the American colonists the Scots had to take into account the future of their economy, future relations with the U.K, and the responsibility of becoming a sovereign nation.
The fact that countries such as China or Russia do not want Scotland to achieve independence, is because it could act as an inspiration to other nations that also want to be independent. This could be an Issue to both Scotland and the United Kingdom because independence could cripple both of their economies significantly. Sometimes being independent is not necessarily the best option for a country at a certain point in time, and this is the case for Scotland.
ReplyDeleteLucas Maia
Both Russia and China have lands with people that might think that they can be independent countries. However, they do not understand that without the Superpower they are part of right now, they will have to start their own economy and political system. Though, if Scotland was to gain independence, this would give an example to those people.
ReplyDeleteI feel that this question is rather misleading since China and Russia do not necessarily care about Scotland independence, however, they disapprove of the example that would set for regions within themselves who have been fighting for years to be recognized as their own countries. Russia with Kazakhstan, as well as China with Taiwan, have been fighting to prevent them from breaking off from them for years. Having them be separate would stunt their own economies, as Kazakhstan and Taiwan are very economically sound. Scotland, if they had voted yes, much like the revolutionaries in 1776, would have served as a very powerful example to the rest of the world.
ReplyDeleteMolly Hercules
United States