- The information in this article is part of an upcoming rework, and may not be reflected in other articles.
The Scottish Provisional Republic was a short-lived revolutionary republic that was established during the British Revolution. It was later annexed into the Union of Britain.
History[]
Formation[]
The Scottish Provisional Republic was formed in the closing time of 1924, shortly after the Battle for the Railways and the capture of Livingston when political representatives from Edinburgh and Glasgow met to declare Scotland's secession from the Union as a provisional republic until its political future and potential rejoining of the Union with England could be determined. The abortive 'Glasgow Free Commune' declared only weeks prior to the SPR is often considered its spiritual predecessor.
At its inaugural congress, no consensus could be decided on how the structure of the state should be, leaving the nominal head of state the Congress itself with all affairs decided on a local level either by worker councils or dominant political figures. The most well known of the latter were two Red Clydesiders: Willie Gallacher and John Maclean, who served as de facto co-premiers of the government.
Factionalist Divisions[]
These early days for the revolutionary republic were marred by factionalist divisions, with nationalist leader Maclean pushing for the provisional state to form the basis of a true workers republic and to this end wished for it to focus on internal consolidation. While Maclean mobilised large swathes of nationalist supporters, opposition from unionist minded elements stalled these plans and the government was crippled by an endless deadlock. This focused primarially on how the fledgling Scottish forces should be used, either to consolidate the Republic's control over Scotland proper or pursue fleeing Royalist forces into England.
Rise of Gallacher & Union with Britain[]
The debate was ultimately answered following the untimely death of John Maclean, and his replacement with the more amicable Robert Cunninghame Graham who saw the deadlock end with the Republic opting to send its forces southwards. Gallacher was elected Provisional President and began to consolidate internal politics, giving executive orders to attempt to restart public services and integrate the war efforts with that of the Union of Britain's. It should be noted that the republic was not annexed in Britain like the Cardiff Commune and would remain an independent political entity for some time, going as far as to recognise the Commune of France and Socialist Republic of Italy. Despite its efforts it would not be recognised by any nation outside of the Union of Britain.
The Republic was dissolved by executive order at the end of 1925 following the evacuation of Royalist forces, seeing all its administration handed over to the Union of Britain and its future decided in London rather than Edinburgh.