The Acts of Union refer to two key legislative measures that united the Kingdom of England and the Kingdom of Scotland into a single entity known as the Kingdom of Great Britain. The first Act was passed in 1707, and it aimed to create a more stable political and economic environment by merging the two parliaments and establishing a unified government. A second Act of Union was enacted in 1800, which incorporated the Kingdom of Ireland into the United Kingdom, forming the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. This act sought to address issues of governance and representation, although it also led to significant political and social tensions in Ireland.