《勇敢的心》之后：苏格兰是如何在豪赌中输掉独立的？

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the historical context of Scotland's struggle for independence and the subsequent economic challenges faced by the nation, culminating in the failed Darien scheme, which ultimately led to Scotland's political union with England. Group 1: Historical Context - The film "Braveheart" portrays William Wallace leading Scottish warriors against King Edward I of England during the Wars of Scottish Independence in the late 13th to early 14th century [2] - Despite military victories, Scotland faced economic stagnation and was increasingly marginalized in European trade compared to England [4] - England viewed Scotland as an economic competitor and implemented protectionist policies that excluded Scotland from lucrative colonial trade [5] Group 2: The Darien Scheme - William Paterson, a co-founder of the Bank of England, proposed the establishment of a trade colony at the Isthmus of Panama, claiming it would be a key to global trade [6] - The Scottish Parliament approved the formation of the Company of Scotland in 1695, leading to widespread public investment, with over £400,000 raised, equivalent to half of Scotland's liquid capital at the time [7] - The enthusiasm for the Darien scheme was fueled by exaggerated descriptions of the land's potential, leading to a national financial frenzy [6][7] Group 3: Failure and Consequences - The expedition to establish the colony faced immediate challenges, including unsuitable land conditions and a lack of supplies due to political pressures from England [8][9] - Diseases decimated the population of settlers, with over 2,000 out of 2,500 colonists perishing, leading to the failure of the Darien colony [9] - The financial collapse following the Darien scheme resulted in a loss of national credit and wealth, prompting Scotland to agree to the Acts of Union in 1707, merging with England [10][11] Group 4: Lessons Learned - The Darien scheme illustrates the dangers of collective investment driven by nationalistic fervor without sound data and risk assessment [9][11] - The article emphasizes the importance of prudent investment strategies and the risks associated with concentrating wealth in high-risk ventures [11]