The Acts of Union were a series of legislative measures that created the Kingdom of Great Britain by uniting the Kingdom of England and the Kingdom of Scotland. This union was driven by both economic and political motives. The two kingdoms had been linked through the same monarch since the Union of the Crowns in 1603 but retained separate parliaments and laws. The negotiations, which began in earnest following the Glorious Revolution, aimed to foster stability and improve trade relations. They were facilitated by commissioners appointed by both parliaments after lengthy discussions about the benefits and drawbacks of such a union.

The agreements, reached in 1706, included various provisions, such as the establishment of a single parliament at Westminster and the sharing of debts, while also addressing issues related to religion and trade. The final vote took place in both parliaments, and after initial resistance in Scotland due to fears of loss of independence, a push for economic benefits and political security helped secure the required majority. The crowning moment of this union was the passing of the Acts of Union in 1707, which formally ended the separate existence of the Scottish Parliament.

This union not only resulted in a realignment of the political landscape in Britain; it also set the stage for the expansion of the British Empire and the development of a unified national identity. The impact of the Acts of Union extended into the social fabric as well, creating a new context for cultural interactions and exchanges that would shape modern British society.