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By Karmyn Jones
In preparation for our class trip to Scotland, we each read a chapter of How the Scots Invented the Modern World by Arthur Herman. This is a summary of my chapter:
The Scottish Reformation, started by John Knox, was a movement that transformed Scotland into a Protestant nation. Knox, a writer and preacher, spent his early years in exile and imprisonment before returning to challenge the Catholic Church’s authority. He convinced Scottish nobility and urban classes to embrace Protestantism. His influence led to the destruction of religious artifacts and the establishment of the Scottish Kirk, which imposed strict moral rules, with severe punishments for those who disobeyed. Knox and his ally, George Buchanan, created one of the most democratic church governments in Europe. They believed that political power was ordained by God but ultimately belonged to the people. However, tensions arose when Charles I attempted to undermine the Kirk, prompting the signing of the National Covenant, a document promising opposition to any religious changes not approved by the General Assembly and Parliament. This conflict escalated into war against Charles and his bishops, which eventually led to Charles’ surrender and execution in 1649.
In 1696, Scotland passed the "Act for Setting Schools," establishing widespread education, making it Europe’s first modern literate society. This allowed even farmers and shopkeepers to attend university. However, Scotland’s relationship with England remained strained. After losing the English Civil War, Scotland briefly lost its independence, but regained religious control under Protestant Queen Mary. Soon, economic struggles replaced religious disputes as Scotland’s primary concern. Unlike England, which prospered through trade, Scotland remained reliant on agriculture, often facing food shortages. In response, Scottish leaders sought economic reform, but England countered with the Aliens Act, treating Scots as foreign nationals. The strained relationship between the two nations raised an urgent question: Was union the solution, or was there another path forward?
Karmyn Jones is a McConnell Scholar in the class of 2026. She is studying neuroscience and political science.