The Second Jacobite Rising, which began in 1745, represented the most significant effort to restore the House of Stuart to the British throne following the Glorious Revolution of 1688. Led by Charles Edward Stuart, the son of the exiled James Francis Edward Stuart, the campaign sought to reclaim the crowns of England, Scotland and Ireland for his father. The movement gained momentum in the Scottish Highlands, where Charles successfully rallied support among various clans, before launching a bold military campaign that posed a genuine threat to the stability of the Hanoverian state.

The Jacobite forces achieved notable early successes, including a decisive victory at the Battle of Prestonpans in September 1745. This triumph allowed the Jacobite army to advance deep into England, reaching as far south as Derby. The rapid progression of the rebellion caused widespread alarm within the British government and the public, forcing the Hanoverian authorities to recall troops from the continent to defend the capital. Despite the initial enthusiasm and strategic gains, the Jacobite army faced mounting logistical challenges, limited recruitment in England and internal divisions regarding their long-term objectives.

The momentum of the rising eventually faltered, leading to a retreat back into Scotland. The campaign reached its definitive conclusion in April 1746 at the Battle of Culloden, where the Jacobite forces were decisively defeated by government troops commanded by the Duke of Cumberland. This loss effectively ended the Stuart cause and marked the final major attempt to overthrow the Hanoverian monarchy by force. The aftermath of the rebellion saw the implementation of severe measures to suppress Highland culture and dismantle the traditional clan system, fundamentally altering the social and political landscape of Scotland.

• The rising was led by Charles Edward Stuart, known as the Young Pretender.
• Jacobite forces successfully occupied Edinburgh and advanced into northern England.
• The campaign caused significant political instability for the government of King George II.
• The Battle of Culloden served as the final pitched battle fought on British soil.
• The defeat led to the systematic dismantling of the traditional Scottish Highland way of life.