{{Short description|Danish state, 1819–1903}} {{Infobox country | conventional_long_name = Danish Unitary State | common_name = | native_name = {{native name|da|Helstaten}}<br />{{native name|de|Dänischer Gesamtstaat}} | image_flag = Royal Standard of Denmark (1819-1903).svg | flag_border = no | image_flag2 = Flag of Denmark.svg | flag_type = '''Top:''' Royal Standard of Denmark (1819–1903)<br/>'''Bottom:''' Flag of Denmark | image_coat = Royal coat of arms of Denmark (1819–1903).svg | image_map = File:Lands_ruled_by_the_Danish_Monarch_1815.png | religion = Lutheranism | footnotes = | status = Personal union between Schleswig, Holstein, Lauenburg and Denmark | year_end = 1864 | year_start = 1814 | image_map_caption = Territories that were part of the Kingdom of Denmark from 1814 to 1864 | common_languages = Danish, German, Frisian | government_type = {{unbulleted list|Absolute monarchy (until 1848)|Constitutional monarchy (from 1849)}} | title_leader = King of Denmark, <small> Duke of Schleswig, Holstein and Lauenburg </small> | year_leader1 = 1808–1839 | leader1 = Frederik VI | year_leader2 = 1839–1848 | leader2 = Christian VIII | year_leader3 = 1848–1863 | leader3 = Frederik VII | year_leader4 = 1863-1906 | leader4 = Christian IX | title_representative = Prime ministers <br /> <small> (1848–1855) </small> <br /> <big> Council Presidents </big> <br /> <small> (1855–1864) </small> | year_representative1 = 1848–1852 | representative1 = Adam Wilhelm Moltke | year_representative2 = 1852–1853 | representative2 = Christian Albrecht Bluhme | year_representative3 = 1853–1854 | representative3 = Anders Sandøe Ørsted | year_representative4 = 1854–1856 | representative4 = Peter Georg Bang | year_representative5 = 1856–1857 | representative5 = Carl Christoffer Georg Andræ | title_deputy = | year_deputy1 = | deputy1 = | year_deputy2 = | deputy2 = | event_start = Treaty of Kiel | date_start = 14 January | event1 = Congress of Vienna | date_event1 = 1815 | event2 = First Schleswig War | date_event2 = 1848–1851 | event3 = Constitution of 1849 | date_event3 = 5 June 1849 | event4 = Second Schleswig War | date_event4 = 1864 | event_end = Treaty of Vienna | date_end = 30 October | era = Late Modern Period | representative6 = Carl Christian Hall | representative7 = Carl Edvard Rotwitt | representative8 = Ditlev Gothard Monrad | year_representative6 = 1857–1859 | year_representative7 = 1859–1860 | year_representative8 = 1863–1864 | p1 = Denmark-Norway | flag_p1 = Royal Standard of Denmark (1731–1819).svg | border_p1 = no | s1 = Denmark | flag_s1 = Flag of Denmark.svg | s2 = Prussia | flag_s2 = Flag of the Kingdom of Prussia (1803-1892).svg | s3 = Austrian Empire | flag_s3 = Flag of the Habsburg Monarchy.svg | today = {{Flag|Denmark}}<br>{{Flag|Iceland}}<br>{{Flag|Germany}} }}
The '''Danish Unitary State''' ({{langx|da|Helstaten}}; {{langx|de|Gesammtstaat}}<ref>{{Cite book |title=Betrachtungen über den dänischen Gesammtstaat |year=1857 |location=Hamburg |pages=24 |language=German}}</ref>) was a Danish political designation for the monarchical state formation of Denmark, Schleswig, Holstein, and Saxe-Lauenburg, between the two treaties of Vienna in 1815 and 1864. The usage of the term became relevant after the First Schleswig War, when a need for a constitutional framework for the monarchy was present, which ought to follow the premises of the London Protocol,<ref name=":4" /> which prohibited a closer connection between two of the monarchy's possessions.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wammen |first=Hans |title=Londontraktaten af 1852 |url=https://denstoredanske.lex.dk/Londontraktaten_af_1852 |website=Lex.dk|date=19 February 2024 }}</ref> The political designation was ultimately eliminated after The Second Schleswig War and was replaced by the national state in 1866.
== Definitions and meaning == The Danish term ''Helstaten'' refers to two historical state formations of Denmark.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Degn |first=Jens |url=https://tidsskrift.dk/fortidognutid/article/download/74893/108342/159868 |title=Hvad er helstaten? |publisher=Fortid og Nutid |year=1999 |pages=220–226 |language=Danish |trans-title=What is the unitary state?}}</ref> One being the twin realms of Denmark–Norway, and the other (and most referred to) is the personal and for a short time real union between Denmark and the North German duchies of Schleswig, Holstein, and Lauenburg. (From 1815)<ref name=":0" />
=== Definition === There are various of different definitions of the word ''Helstat. Helstat'' is a compound word, combined from ''Hel'' (English: Whole) and ''stat'' (English: State), compound to 'Whole-state'. According to ''Salmonsens'', a ''Helstat'' is:<ref name=":0" /> {{Blockquote|text=''A state connection under a common monarchy has existed between parts of the state that could neither be described as a Federal State nor as mere provinces, so that the unit could neither be said to constitute a mere real union, a confederation in the narrower sense nor an equivalent. Unity State''|author=''Salmonsens Konversationsleksikon''}}
It is also noted that the term is mainly used in connection with Denmark and the Duchies and the Austrian Realm's Constitution<ref name=":0" /> Another definition by the Danish Lexicon of ''Ordbog over det danske sprog'' States as follows:<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=helstat |url=https://ordnet.dk/ddo/ordbog?query=helstat |website=Den Danske Ordbog}}</ref> {{Blockquote|text=''State, consisting of several parts of the state connected under a common constitution for the common affairs (cf. unitary, federal state); spec. about the state connection that was sought to be maintained between 1850 and 1864 between the Danish Kingdom, Southern Jutland and the German Duchies''|author=''Ordbog over det danske sprog''}} Similar definitions are giving by ''Illustreret dansk konversationslektion'' and ''Norsk Riksmålsordbok''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=helstat |url=https://naob.no/ordbok/helstat |website=Det Norske Akedemis Ordbok}}</ref><ref name=":0" />
Despite small disagreements, the definitions agree on certain points.<ref name=":0" />
# A ''Helstat'' is a state formation consisting of more than one political entity # They share some political aspects (for example foreign affairs) # Yet the political entities have an extensive autonomy
It should also be noted that the ''Salmonsens Konversationsleksikon, Illustreret dansk konversationslektion,'' and ''Ordbog over det dansk sprog'', specifically mentions the state formation of Denmark and the Duchies, as such examples of a ''Helstat.<ref name=":0" />''
=== Historic usage in reference to Denmark and Norway === {{See also|Denmark–Norway|Johann Friedrich Struensee}} The first mention of the word ''Helstat'' in a historical context, is from 1885, in the book ''Danmark-Norges indre Historie 1660- 1720,'' by Edward Holm referring to the union between the two nations of Denmark and Norway, as a direct whole state.''<ref name=":0" />''<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last=Holm |first=Edward |title=Danmark-Norges indre Historie 1660-1720 |publisher=Forlaget for Universitetsboghandler |year=1885 |location=Copenhagen |pages=72 |language=Danish}}</ref> Other Danish works mentioning the word in reference to Denmark-Norway include; ''Danmark-Norge i det 18. Aarhundrede'', by Albert Olsen<ref name=":2">{{Cite book |last=Olsen |first=Albert |title=Danmark-Norge i det 18. Aarhundred |publisher=Gyldendal |year=1936 |pages=75, 143 |language=Danish |trans-title=Denmark-Norway the 19th century}}</ref>''<ref name=":0" />'', ''Dansk-Norsk Veksel virkning i det 18. Aarhundred,'' by Hans Jensen<ref name=":3">{{Cite book |last=Jensen |first=Hans |title=Dansk-norsk Vekselvirkning i det 18. Aarhundrede |publisher=Fortid og Nutid |year=1938 |language=Danish}}</ref>''<ref name=":0" />'' and ''Mellem brødre'', by Vilhelm la Cour.<ref>{{Cite book |last=la Cour |first=Vilhelm |title=Mellem brødre |publisher=Eget |year=1943 |language=Danish |trans-title=Between Brothers}}</ref>''<ref name=":0" />''
Olsen, like Holm, describes the ''Helstat'' as an opposition to the expression of special interests,<ref name=":2" /> yet Olsen does not argue why he chose to call Denmark-Norway a ''Helstat''. Moreover, Olsen sees the ''Helstat'' as the complete opposite of the ''Nationalstaten'' and thereby also equalizes a Multinational state with a ''Helstat.<ref name=":0" />''
{{Quote box | title = la Cour's take on the ''Helstat'' | quote = ''"It was, however, in the aim of the new government of the two kingdoms to create a distinctly centralized Helstat, and within such a framework local considerations had to naturally always give way to what, according to the opinion of the time, would serve the assembled Monarch"'' | source = Vilhelm la Cour: ''Mellem brødre. Dansk-norske Problemer i det 18. Aarhundredes Helstat'',1943, s. 9-10 | align = left | width = 300px | border = 3px | bgcolor = Light Grey | qalign = center | quoted = }}Jensen's book on Denmark-Norway seems to be the only one referring to the ''Helstat'', as that of Denmark and the Duchies.''<ref name=":0" />'' He defines the goal of the ''Helstat'' as being to achieve the biggest possible commonwealth and entity.''<ref name=":0" />''<ref name=":3" /> He thereby also devalues the ''Helstat'' with Denmark and the Duchies characterizing it as incomplete,''<ref name=":0" />'' and instead highlights the union with Norway as the complete version of a ''Helstat.<ref name=":0" />''<ref name=":3" /> Although Jensen has no source for the definition he uses.''<ref name=":0" />''
La Cour, defines the ''Helstat'' as an act of Absolute monarchy and unity, in contrast to the other definitions.''<ref name=":0" />'' Such a definition is shared by Ole Feldbæk, who in his book ''Danmark-Norge 1380-1814'', describes the ''Helstat'' in a contrast to Norwegian independence and autonomy.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Fedbæk |first=Ole |title=Danmark-Norge 1380-1814 |volume=IV |pages=381 |language=Danish}}</ref>
=== Historic usage in reference to Denmark and the duchies === {{See also|National Liberal Party (Denmark)|Duchy of Schleswig|Duchy of Holstein}}
There are also problems with the argumentation of the historians describing and defining the unitary {{multiple image | image1 = Denmark-Norway in 1780.svg | image2 = Lands ruled by the Danish Monarch 1815.png | footer = | width1 = 150 | width2 = 150 | total_width = 300 | align = right | header = ''Helstaten'' | caption1 = Denmark-Norway {{abbr|c|circa}} 1780 | caption2 = Lands ruled by the Monarch of Denmark, c. 1815 }} state between Denmark and the duchies of Schleswig, Holstein, and Lauenburg. (also referred to as "the Duchies"; Danish: ''Hertugdømmerne'')<ref>{{Cite book |last=Arup |first=Erik |title=Den finansielle side af erhvervelsen af hertugdømmerne 1460-1487 |publisher=Historisk Tidsskrift |year=1903 |language=Danish |trans-title=The financial side of the acquisition of the duchies 1460-1487}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Hansen |first=Hans |url=https://tidsskrift.dk/soenderjydskeaarboeger/article/download/81287/116411/167938 |title=Arkiver fra hertugdømmerne Slesvig og Holsten indtil 1864 |publisher=Historisk Tidsskrift}}</ref>
According to Claus Bjørn the term ''Helstaten'' only became politically relevant after the Three Years War<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Bjørn |first=Claus |title=Helstaten |url=https://denstoredanske.lex.dk/Helstaten |website=Den store Danske|date=7 January 2016 }}</ref> and links the term with the period between 1848 and 1863.''<ref name=":0" />''<ref name=":5">Den Store Danske Encyklopædi, bd. 8, 1997, s. 370</ref> He also notes that the traditional usage of the word for historians can be traced back to 1773 in the Treaty of Tsarskoye Selo.''<ref name=":0" />''<ref name=":5" /> {{multiple image | image1 = Christian Molbech b.jpg | image2 = | footer = | width1 = 150 | width2 = 150 | total_width = 180 | align = left | header = Christian Molbech | caption1 = Drawing by A. Jensen | caption2 = }}
The reason being that Christian VII of Denmark got full control of Ducal Holstein after Tsarskoye Selo.''<ref name=":0" />''
During the aftermath of the First Schleswig War the usage of the word became politically relevant in terms of creating a united constitution for both Denmark and the Duchies.<ref name=":4" /> The term is mentioned in a Danish state council protocol from a reference on the 21 December 1850,<ref>{{Cite book |title=Statsrådets forhandlinger 1848-63 |volume=III |pages=96}}</ref> from a dairy of Christian Dahl from 1848 to 1849<ref>{{Cite book |last=Dahl |first=Christian |title=dagbog fra Den grundlovgivende Rigsforsamling 1848-49 |publisher=Claus Bjørn and Christian Larsen |year=1999}}</ref> and especially from letters from Danish politicians, such as Ditlev Gothard Monrad and Andreas Frederik Krieger in the 1830s and 1840s.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Povl |first=Bagge |title=Danske politiske breve fra 1830erne og 1840ern |volume=I}}</ref>
There is no exact date accepted for the first usage of the political word of ''Helstaten'', although just as Bjørn argues, Christian Molbech states that the term originated in 1848.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Molbech |first=Christian |title=Ordbog over det danske Sprog |publisher=Private |year=1859 |pages=895 |language=Danish}}</ref> Nevertheless, the usage of the term saw an increase, especially politically, during the negotiations of a constitution to the Danish realm.''<ref name=":0" />''
== Political ideology == {{See also|Nationalism|Monarchism|Oldenburg dynasty}} The idea of preserving the ''Helstat'' is called ''Helstatspatriotisme'' (English: The Unitary State Patriotism), its ideology is focused on valuing and preserving the Danish-led Oldenburg Monarchy and to stop the spread of Nationalism in the possessions of the dynasty.<ref name=":6">{{Cite book |url=https://rucforsk.ruc.dk/ws/portalfiles/portal/57667884/NATIONALSTATEN%5B1%5D_%281%29.pdf |title=NATIONALSTATEN |publisher=Roskilde Universitet |pages=36–46 |language=Danish}}</ref> Nationalism had been rising since the French revolution and was a founding part of social changes in the Danish realm during the 19th century.<ref name=":6" /> The old state formation, made by royal houses and feudalism, was challenged by nationalism and liberalism, and the ''Helstatspatriotisme'' were in a position to preserve the old state formation of the Oldenburg monarchy.<ref name=":6" /> The Oldenburg state is said to be Dano-German from the beginning.<ref name=":6" /> Especially during the 17th and 18th centuries when German language and culture began to influence the Danish nobility, whose majority had German as their first language.<ref name=":6" />
Before the waiver of Norway, 25% of Denmark, spoke German, that number rose to 40% during the aftermath of the Treaty of Kiel. In the capital of Copenhagen, 20% spoke German, and in other cities like Odense, Fredericia, and Elsinore, there was a notable German-speaking population.<ref name=":8">{{Cite book |last=Feldbæk |first=Ole |title=Fædreland og Indfødsret. 1700-tallets danske identitet |volume=I |pages=137 |language=Danish}}</ref><ref name=":6" /><ref name=":7">{{Cite book |last=Winge |first=Vibeke |title=Tyskerfejden 1789-1790 |year=1991 |volume=II |language=Danish |trans-title=The German Feud 1789-1790}}</ref> The separation of Danish and German in Denmark and Schleswig should therefore not be seen as necessary for the creation of a national state.<ref name=":6" />
This rise of the German culture in Denmark led to several unrests and clashes between the Danes and Germans, like the Royal Guards Mutiny in 1771 as a response to the alleged Germanisation of Denmark by Struensee,<ref name=":22">{{Cite web |last=Geisler |first=Jens |date=2022 |title=Juleaftensfejden |url=https://milhist.dk/juleaftensfejden/ |website=Dansk Militærhistorie}}</ref> and the German Feud (Danish: ''Tyskerfejden'') which sought to disestablish German occupation of important political and cultural jobs.<ref name=":7" />{{multiple image | image1 = Guldberg by Juel.png | image2 = | footer = | width1 = 150 | width2 = 150 | total_width = 180 | align = right | header = Ove Høegh-Guldberg | caption1 = Drawing by Jens Juel | caption2 = }}
=== Ideology in early use === {{See also|Danish Citizenship Act of 1776}} After the reforms by Struensee, the power of government was succeeded by Ove Høegh-Guldberg, who reformed the state into a more Danish-centered one rather than German-centered. Laws like the Danish Citizenship Act of 1776 under which access to public positions in the kingdom of Denmark became the prerogative of native-born subjects and those who were considered their equals.<ref name="DSD">{{cite web |title=Indfødsretten |url=https://denstoredanske.lex.dk/Indf%C3%B8dsretten |access-date=16 June 2022 |website=Den Store Danske |language=Danish}}</ref> Danish also became the official language of The Danish military, and Politicians and administrators should also use Danish instead of German.<ref name=":6" /> The takeover and reforms by Høegh-Guldberg were done in a matter, where he legitimized his rule by representing the Danish people<ref name=":6" /> and may also appear to be an early form of Danish nationalism and ''Helstatspatriotisme.<ref name=":6" />''<ref name=":8" /> During his rule and beyond, ''Helstatspatriotismen'' was prioritized by symbolically uniting Denmark, Norway, and Holstein as three equal parts under the Oldenburg Dynasty''{{efn|Before the conflict over the Duchies in the mid-1800s, Schleswig was not referred to as one independent entity, but was simply included as a fief under 'Denmark'.|name=}}'' in art and literature.''<ref name=":6" />'' By that the Danish government wished to establish loyalty to the monarch throughout the whole realm.''<ref name=":6" />''
=== Danification attempts in Holstein (1806-1813) === {{multiple image | image1 = Duchy of Holstein 1789.svg | image2 = | footer = | width1 = 150 | width2 = 150 | total_width = 180 | align = right | header = Holstein | caption1 = A map of the Duchy of Holstein, in Europe {{abbr|c|cirka}} 1789 | caption2 = }} left|thumb|200x200px|Unification process of Holstein (1668–1773) After the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire, Crown Prince Frederick annexed, in accordance with the French, Holstein into the Danish state.<ref name=":9">{{Cite web |last=Frandsen |first=Steen |title=Holstens indlemmelse 1806 |url=https://graenseforeningen.dk/leksikon/holstens-indlemmelse-1806 |website=Graenseforeningen}}</ref><ref name=":10">{{Cite book |last=Frandsen |first=Steen |title=Holsten i helstaten |publisher=Historisk Tidsskrift |year=2008 |pages=330–340 |language=Danish |trans-title=}}</ref> The act was official policy since the Treaty of Tsarskoye Selo and can be seen as an act for ''Helstatspatriotismen''.<ref name=":9" /><ref name=":11">{{Cite book |last=Glenthøj |first=Rasmus |title=Skilsmissen. Dansk og norsk identitet før og efter 1814 |publisher=Syddansk Universitetsforlag |year=2012 |pages=181 |language=Danish}}</ref> The period between 1806 and 1813 saw increasing Danification of the area.<ref name=":10" /> The Danish language was sought to be implemented in offices and churches,<ref name=":9" /><ref name=":10" /> yet even if the intention was to quell Holsteinian regionalism, it did the exact opposite and the annexation attempt was denounced in 1813.<ref name=":9" /><ref name=":6" /><ref name=":10" /> Modern historian, Steen Bo Frandsen, argues that if the annexation attempt had not been implemented, then there would still be Holsteinians who wished for further integration into the Danish state long after 1814.<ref name=":10" /> It is also argued that before nationalist sentiment began to rise, the major view in Holstein was that the connection to the Oldenburg monarch was a positive thing.<ref name=":10" />
== Napoleonic Wars == {{Further|Danish state bankruptcy of 1813|Battle of Copenhagen (1807)|Treaty of Kiel}} {{multiple image | image1 = C.A. Lorentzen - The Most Terrible Night. View of Kongens Nytorv in Copenhagen During the English Bombardement of Cop - KMS3468 - Statens Museum for Kunst (cropped).jpg | image2 = | footer = | width1 = 150 | width2 = 150 | total_width = 180 | align = left | header = Bombardment of Copenhagen | caption1 = ''View of Kongens Nytorv in Copenhagen During the English Bombardment of Copenhagen at Night between 4 and 5 September 1807'' | caption2 = }}
During the Napoleonic Wars Denmark came through a series of national disasters. Firstly Denmark-Norway lost its fleet during the English Wars, which greatly damaged Dano-Norwegian trade commerce and connection between the Atlantic territories''{{efn|The "Atlantic territories" refer to Iceland, Faroe Islands and Greenland|name=}}'', Norway and Denmark.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Gøbel |first=Erik |url=https://pure.kb.dk/ws/portalfiles/portal/8988394/47167_92000_1_PB.pdf |title=Danske oversøiske handelskompagnier i 17. og 18. århundrede. En forskningsoversigt}}</ref> Secondly Denmark faced the Danish state bankruptcy of 1813 which saw the total collapse of the financial industry and trade industry. Lastly, Denmark was forced on Napoleon's side and after a short war with Sweden and occupation of Schleswig and Holstein signed for peace at Kiel in 1814.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Freden i Kiel 14. januar 1814 |url=https://danmarkshistorien.dk/vis/materiale/freden-i-kiel-14-januar-1814 |website=danmarkshistorien.dk}}</ref> This saw the loss of Norway, and a dream of a trio with Denmark, Norway, and Holstein demolished. Frederick VI who was a natural supporter of the ''Helstatspatriotisme'', had earlier declined an offer from tzar Alexander I of Russia, which in turn for handing over Norway, Denmark would get the Hanseatic cities, the North German East Coast, and even Holland<ref>{{Cite book |last=Rasmussen |first=Hertel |url=https://tidsskrift.dk/historisktidsskrift/article/download/51831/68114?inline=1 |title=Dansk udenrigspolitik 1812-1813 |publisher=Historisk Tidsskrift}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |title=Blomes depeche herom |publisher=Danske Magazin |pages=72}}</ref> Which shows Frederick's realization of the importance of Norway, for the ''Helstat.''
Likewise, under the Napoleonic wars, the lands north of the Elbe did not show any unwillingness or dissatisfaction with the French presence in Germany.''<ref name=":6" />'' This view was not shared with the rest of the German states.''<ref name=":6" />''
{{multiple image | image1 = Christoph Wilhelm Wohlien - Portræt af Frederik VI.jpg | image2 = Portræt af Kong Frederik VI i rød uniformsjakke (Dansk maler 19. årh.).jpg | footer = | width1 = 150 | width2 = 150 | total_width = 200 | align = right | header = Frederick VI | caption1 = Portrait of Frederick {{abbr|c|circa}}1809 | caption2 = Portrait of Frederick {{abbr|c|circa}}1830 | direction = vertical }}
There was a short German national excitement during the German campaign of 1813, yet that excitement was gone with the creation of the German Confederation, which did not turn out as the German national liberals hoped for.''<ref name=":6" />'' Although during the rise of German Nationalism in the mid-19th century, the Holsteinians became embarrassed with the Oldenburg monarch's decision to join forces with Napoleon, and the Holsteinian nationalists portrayed themselves as victims, who were prevented from fighting with their German brothers.''<ref name=":6" />''<ref name=":10" /> This, along with the Danification attempt of Holstein, made the Holsteinian elite look more to the south.<ref name=":11" />
The Napoleonic wars were costly for Denmark and destabilized the build-up of ''Helstatspatriotisme.<ref name=":6" />'' The German-speaking minority went from 25% to 40% after 1815, which meant that Germans were now, not just a small minority in a bigger and more multicultural realm, but a notable minority and rival to the Danish-speaking population, which led to the Schleswig–Holstein question.<ref name=":8" /><ref name=":7" />
== 1815-1847 == {{Further|Danish Golden Age}}{{See also|National Liberal Party (Denmark)|History of Denmark#Nationalism and liberalism|label 1=National Liberal Party|label 2=Nationalism and liberalism in Denmark}} Denmark exchanged Swedish Pomerania in turn for Saxe-Lauenburg from Prussia.<ref>[https://grosstuchen.de/PrussianSwedish.html grosstuchen.de] Prussian payment for Swedish Pomerania</ref> This meant a further enlargement of German culture in the realm. This is also the time of the Danish Golden Age, which sought to Romantisize Danish nature, culture, and nationality.<ref name="dga">Kulturnet Danmark, [http://www.guldalder.dk/composite-219.htm Guide to the Danish Golden Age] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060110125312/http://www.guldalder.dk/composite-219.htm|date=2006-01-10}}</ref> The movement became relevant after the national emergencies the nation faced during the 1810s and glorified Danish history.<ref name="dga" />
=== Unrest === What lay under the "golden age" of Denmark, was an impoverished society. King Frederick, who had a clear goal to preserve ''Helstat'' with Norway, became more authoritarian, giving up his liberal worldview he had during his rule as Prince Regent.<ref name=":122">{{cite web |author=Jon Gunnar Arntzen |title=Frederik 6 |url=https://nbl.snl.no/Frederik_6 |access-date=15 August 2016 |publisher=Norsk biografisk leksikon}}</ref> However, as the economic depression eased in the 1830s, Frederick accepted a minor democratic innovation of regional assemblies in 1834. There were established four regional assemblies.<ref name=":02">{{Cite book |last=Kjærsgaard |first=Simon |url=https://danmarkshistorien.dk/fileadmin/filer/E-boeger-historier-om-demokrati/Historier-om-demokrati.pdf |title=HISTORIER OM DEMOKRATI |publisher=danmarkshistorien.dk |year=2018 |isbn=978-87-999852-6-5 |pages=11–13 |language=Danish |trans-title=History of Democracy}}</ref> One for Jutland, one for Schleswig, one for Holstein, and one for Zealand and the Danish Isles.<ref name=":02" /> {{abbr|c|circa}} 3% of the population had suffrage in these assemblies.<ref name=":02" /> Even though the regional assemblies were made to advise the absolute monarchy, they eventually developed in opposition to the king, and among other things, made demands to a free constitution.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Bjørn |first=Claus |title=Fra helstat til nationalstat |year=2003 |language=Danish}}</ref> These regional assemblies unintendedly lead to civil debate and Social polarization in Schleswig between Danes and Germans.<ref name=":122" />
=== Schleswig-Holstein question === {{Main|Schleswig–Holstein question}} {{multiple image | image1 = Herzogtümer.png | image2 = | footer = | width1 = 150 | width2 = 150 | total_width = 180 | align = left | header = Schleswig-Holstein | caption1 = Political ''status quo'' in Schleswig and Holstein between 1815 and 1864 | caption2 = }} The polarization of the ''Helstat'' became actual during the 1830s, were two political and national movements had developed in the ''Helstat''.<ref name=":12">{{Cite web |last=Jørgensen |first=Claus |title=Fra enevældig helstat til nationalstat, 1814-1914 |url=https://danmarkshistorien.dk/perioder/fra-enevaeldig-helstat-til-nationalstat-1814-1914 |website=Danmarkshistorien.dk}}</ref> They both wanted the disestablishment of the absolute monarch and wished for the division of the ''Helstat'' in linguistic borders.<ref name=":12" /> The question of the future of the duchies also became ever more relevant and caused tension in the ''Helstat.'' The National Liberal Party campaigned for Schleswig to become an integral part of Denmark while separating Holstein and Lauenburg from Denmark.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2018-05-18 |title=Kritik af enevælden og debat om Slesvig |url=http://danmarkshistorien.dk/perioder/det-unge-demokrati-1848-1901/kritik-af-enevaelden-og-debat-om-slesvig/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200921034103/https://danmarkshistorien.dk/perioder/det-unge-demokrati-1848-1901/kritik-af-enevaelden-og-debat-om-slesvig/ |archive-date=21 September 2020 |access-date=2018-06-11 |website=danmarkshistorien.dk |language=da}}</ref> While German nationalists in Schleswig were keen to keep Schleswig and Holstein together, and wanted Schleswig to join the German Confederation.<ref name=":32">{{Cite web |last=103982@au.dk |date=2018-05-18 |title=Marts 1848 |url=http://danmarkshistorien.dk/perioder/det-unge-demokrati-1848-1901/marts-1848/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200212040730/https://danmarkshistorien.dk/perioder/det-unge-demokrati-1848-1901/marts-1848/ |archive-date=12 February 2020 |access-date=2018-06-11 |website=danmarkshistorien.dk |language=da}}</ref> The National Liberal Party campaigned with the slogan "''Danmark til ejderen''"<ref>{{Cite web |title=Orla Lehmanns tale 'Danmark til Ejderen', 28. maj 1842 |url=https://danmarkshistorien.dk/vis/materiale/orla-lehmanns-tale-danmark-til-ejderen-28-maj-1842 |website=Danmarkshistorien.dk}}</ref> (English: Denmark to the Eider) and the German nationalists in Schleswig-Holstein campaigned with a contradicting slogan to that of the Danish national liberals, called "''up ewig ungedeelt''"<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bjørn |first=Claus |title=up ewig ungedeelt |url=https://denstoredanske.lex.dk/up_ewig_ungedeelt |website=Lex.dk|date=2 December 2014 }}</ref> (English: Forever undivided).
The reigns of Frederick VI and Christian VIII<nowiki/>led to only minor democratic innovations,<ref name=":03">{{Cite web |last= |date=2018-04-13 |title=christian 8 1786-1848 |url=http://danmarkshistorien.dk/leksikon-og-kilder/vis/materiale/christian-8-1786-1848/ |access-date=2018-06-10 |website=danmarkshistorien.dk |language=danish}}</ref> and the King's Law, Europe's only formal absolutist constitution, was still in place.<ref>[http://www.folketinget.dk/BAGGRUND/00000033/00972093.htm Folketinget] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090507190923/http://www.folketinget.dk/BAGGRUND/00000033/00972093.htm|date=7 May 2009}}</ref>
== 1848-1863 == In January 1848, Christian VIII of Denmark died. He was succeeded by his son Frederick VII. Frederick became king during the Revolutions of 1848. And the newly rising demands for a free constitution became ever more relevant.
=== First Schleswig War === {{Main|First Schleswig War}} {{Quote box | title = Jens Wulff on the Schleswig Wars | quote = ''"… the whole world seems to be intoxicated, and'' ''this accursed partisanship dominates everywhere, alas'' ''making enemies of those who previously were friends. Woe'' ''to those who have brought this about. Germans and Danes'' ''lived so peacefully together in times past, but now within'' ''the same country the different nationalities face each other'' ''with enmity"'' | source = Inge Adriansen and Jens Ole Christensen: ''The First Schleswig War'', p. 13 | align = right | width = 300px | border = 3px | bgcolor = Light Grey | qalign = center | quoted = }} {{multiple image | image1 = Flag of Schleswig-Holstein.svg | image2 = | footer = | width1 = 150 | width2 = 150 | total_width = 180 | align = left | header = Schleswig-Holstein | caption1 = The civil flag of Schleswig-Holstein, then considered revolutionary | caption2 = }} In March 1848, the Schleswig-Holstein question became increasingly intense, and an ultimatum from Schleswig and Holstein was publicized.<ref name=":33">{{Cite web |last= |date=2018-05-18 |title=Marts 1848 |url=http://danmarkshistorien.dk/perioder/det-unge-demokrati-1848-1901/marts-1848/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200212040730/https://danmarkshistorien.dk/perioder/det-unge-demokrati-1848-1901/marts-1848/ |archive-date=12 February 2020 |access-date=2018-06-11 |website=danmarkshistorien.dk |language=da}}</ref> Political pressure from the National Liberals intensified, and Frederick VII replaced the government with the Moltke I cabinet.<ref name=":33" /> This saw the rejection of the German demands and led to their provisional government.<ref name=":13">{{Cite book |last=Adriansen |first=Inge |url=https://moreinfo.addi.dk/2.11/more_info_get.php?lokalid=51771370&attachment_type=856_a&bibliotek=870970&source_id=870970&key=60c6c443f4dc7eb62e16 |title=The First Schleswig War |publisher=Tøjhusmuseet |pages=13–20 |language=English}}</ref> contingents in Schleswig, now had to choose to go north, to join the Danish army, or go south to join the Schleswig-Holstein army.<ref name=":13" /> This ethnic division split and divided many families in Schleswig.<ref name=":13" /> This is also the case of the future king, Christian of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Beck, who stayed in the Danish army, while his brothers joined the revolutionary forces in the south.<ref name=":13" /> There were also still some supporters of the unified ''Helstat'', who rejected the ideas of the both nationalistic Danes and Germans.<ref name=":13" /> One of Them being Jens Wulff. Opinions like his were found everywhere, but especially in Northern Schleswig, who too, had little support for splitting the ''Helstat.<ref name=":13" />'' {{multiple image | image1 = Александра Фёдоровна - Императрица Российской империи.jpg | image2 = | footer = | width1 = 150 | width2 = 150 | total_width = 180 | align = right | header = Empress of Russia | caption1 = Portrait of Alexandra Feodorovna (Charlotte of Prussia), by Franz Krüger | caption2 = }} The rebellion officially started when Prince Frederick of Schleswig-Holstein, took the border fortress of Rendsburg.<ref name="JS">{{cite web |last=Schlürmann |first=Jan |title=The Schleswig-Holstein Rebellion |url=http://www.milhist.dk/trearskrigen/outbreak/outbreak_uk.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320024806/http://www.milhist.dk/trearskrigen/outbreak/outbreak_uk.htm |archive-date=20 March 2012 |access-date=24 December 2018 |quote=These three southern regions of the Danish "Gesamtstaat" or "Helstaten" (common name for the union of the kingdom and the duchies) made up about one half of the monarchy's economic power.}}</ref> The war quickly spread, and the German forces took Flensburg on the 31 of March, although the German advancement was stopped at Bov.<ref name="JStenild">{{cite web |last=Stenild |first=Jesper |title=Battle of Bov – 9th of April 1848 |url=http://www.milhist.dk/trearskrigen/bov/bov.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080508063812/http://www.milhist.dk/trearskrigen/bov/bov.html |archive-date=8 May 2008 |access-date=17 July 2008}}</ref>''<ref name=":13" />'' During April Prussian troops arrived to help the revolutionaries and took Fredericia in May.''<ref name=":13" />'' The Prussian advance was stopped at Dybbøl.<ref name=":14">{{Cite book |last=Frantzen |first=Ole |title=Danmark i krig |publisher=Gyldendal |year=2003 |isbn=87-03-00990-4 |language=Danish |trans-title=Denmark at War}}</ref> In the end, the Prussian intervention in the war was decided by the Russian Diplomatic intervention.<ref name=":15">{{Cite book |last=Davis |first=John |title=Threats and Promises The Pursuit of International Influence |date=2000 |publisher=Johns Hopkins University |isbn=9780801862960 |location=Baltimore}}</ref> As head of the senior Gottorp line, Tsar Nicholas I of Russia pointed out the risk of collision with Frederick William IV of Prussia.<ref name=":15" /> The tsar noted the Prussian advance in Jutland as extremely unfriendly and seriously injured the interests of all the powers bordering on the Baltic.<ref name=":15" /> The Russian Empress, Alexandra Feodorovna supported the point by writing to her brother.''{{efn|Alexandra Feodorovna, born Princess Charlotte of Prussia, Were daughter of Frederick William III, and was thereby a sister to the Prussian king Frederick William IV|name=}}''<ref name=":15" /> {{blockquote|text=''"It is your troops who have grabbed the weak Denmark with their superior force. The war can be expanded widely if you pursue it. Stop! There is still time! Think about the difficulties Germany has to battle in order to bring about inner security, the dangers which threaten in the West. Do not force upon the Tsar the necessity to come to the assistance with strong measures of another state whose downfall Russia cannot regard with indifference and will not tolerate. It cannot come to pass that Denmark is absorbed into Germany; of this you can be certain."''|title=Alexandra Feodorovna (Charlotte of Prussia)|source=}}{{multiple image | image1 = Guerre des Duchés 1.jpg | image2 = Rytterkampen ved Århus den 31. maj 1849.jpg | footer = | width1 = 150 | width2 = 150 | total_width = 200 | align = left | header = Battles | caption1 = After the Battle of Bov, Danish Soldiers Entering Flensburg | caption2 = Skirmish at Aarhus, 31 May 1849 | direction = vertical }}The increasing threat of intervention by other European powers led to Prussia signing the Armistice of Malmö.<ref name=":15" /> This would stop all fighting until spring 1849 when the armistice had ended.<ref name=":14" />''<ref name=":13" />'' Prussian forces again invaded Jutland, yet were stopped at Aarhus.<ref name="aarDK">{{cite web |title=Rytterfægtningen |url=http://www.aarhus.dk/sitecore/content/Subsites/AarhusStadsarkiv/Home/Servicesider/Nyheder/2014/3-kvartal/Ugens-Aarhushistorie-Rytterfaegtningen.aspx?sc_lang=da |accessdate=19 August 2015 |publisher=Aarhus National Archives |language=Danish |archive-date=20 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170620103806/http://www.aarhus.dk/sitecore/content/Subsites/AarhusStadsarkiv/Home/Servicesider/Nyheder/2014/3-kvartal/Ugens-Aarhushistorie-Rytterfaegtningen.aspx?sc_lang=da |url-status=dead }}</ref> Danish victories continued at Fredericia.''<ref name=":13" />'' Another truce was signed, and Prussia proposed a ''status quo ante bellum.<ref name=":15" />'' The Russian tsar had promised Schleswig to the Danish crown by the 1773 Treaty of Tsarskoye Selo and had also intervened in the Hungarian revolution, so the threat of Russian military intervention became over more realistic.''<ref name=":15" />'' After two more years of minor skirmishes and countless negotiations, the London Protocol was signed.<ref>{{cite book |last=Hjelholt |first=Holger |title=Great Britain, the Danish–German conflict and the Danish succession 1850–1852: From the London Protocol to the Treaty of London (the 2nd of August 1850 and the 8th of May 1852) |publisher=Munksgaard |year=1971 |location=Copenhagen, Denmark |pages=38}}</ref>
=== Constitutions for The Unitary State === {{Further|London Protocol (1852)}}{{multiple image | image1 = Christian IX af Henrik Olrik.jpg | image2 = Kaiser-wilhelm-I.jpg | footer = | width1 = 150 | width2 = 150 | total_width = 200 | align = left | header = Monarchs | caption1 = Christian IX in 1871 | caption2 = Kaiser William in Royal Dress up | direction = vertical }} According to the London Protocol, the Great powers decided in Danish favour, that the Danish unitary state should be preserved.<ref name=":16">{{Cite web |title=Londontraktaten, 8. maj 1852 |url=https://danmarkshistorien.dk/vis/materiale/londontraktaten-8-maj-1852 |website=Danmarkshistorien.dk}}</ref> Yet it also confined with the duchies, by disallowing further integration of a single duchy, into the Danish state.<ref name=":16" /> Since the June constitution created in 1849 was only put in force in Denmark, the Schleswig-Holstein question remained unsolved and work for creating a common constitution started. In 1855 the rigsdagen accepted the Constitution for The Unitary State (Danish: ''Helstatsforfatning'') or ''Fællesforfatningen'' (English: The common constitution).<ref name=":17">{{Cite web |last=Bjørn |first=Claus |date=2014 |title=Helstatsforfatningen |url=https://denstoredanske.lex.dk/Helstatsforfatningen?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA3JCvBhA8EiwA4kujZmciSrMZKlfKwKI2u6SB26soMF1LGlxhmfdj1zYZjJiIqrblsI9q7BoCeqEQAvD_BwE |website=Lex.dk}}</ref> The constitution were put in place in all of the Danish realm, including the Duchies. However it was, three years later in 1858, rejected by Holstein and Lauenburg.<ref name=":17" />
When Frederick VII of Denmark died in 1863, the National Liberals pressured the newly king, in accordance with the London protocol,<ref name=":16" /> King Christian IX, to sign a new constitution in November 1863, the so-called November constitution (Danish: ''Novemberforfatningen'').<ref name=":18">{{Cite book |last=Hauge |first=Mads |url=https://xn--slgtogkrone-b9a.dk/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Christian-9.-og-Dronning-Louise-det-f%C3%B8rste-gl%C3%BCcksborgske-kongepar.pdf |title=Christian 9. og Dronning Louise |publisher=De Danske Kongers Kronologiske Samling |language=Danish}}</ref> The constitution replaced the ''Helstatsforfatning<ref name=":17" />'' and annexed Schleswig into Denmark.<ref name=":18" /> {{multiple image | image1 = Karte Deutsch-Dänischer Krieg Militärereignisse.png | image2 = Londonkonferencen Grænseforslag.png | footer = | width1 = 150 | width2 = 150 | total_width = 200 | align = right | header = Maps | caption1 = Map of the military events and of the boundary changes during the Second Schleswig War. | caption2 = Boundary proposals at the London Conference 1864 | direction = vertical }}
== Dissolution, 1864-1866 == Massive protests followed, and since the constitution broke the promises of the London Protocol, Prussia, and Austria declared war in early 1864 on behalf of the German Confederation.<ref name=":18" /> This started the War of 1864.<ref name=":19">{{Cite book |last=Michael. |first=Embree |title=Bismarck's first war : the campaign of Schleswig and Jutland 1864 |date=2006 |publisher=Helion |isbn=978-1-906033-03-3 |location=Solihull}}</ref>
=== Second Schleswig War === {{Main|Second Schleswig War}} With approximately 60.000 men the Prusso-Austrian army marched into Schleswig.<ref name=":19" /> The Danes evacuated the ancient defense line of Danewerk and instead fortified the flank position of Dybbøl.<ref name=":19" /> Throughout early April, Dybbøl was heavily bombarded, and on the morning of the 18 of April, the Prussians launched an all-out assault on the Danish fortifications.<ref name=":04">{{Cite journal |last1=van der Schriek |first1=Jef |last2=van der Schriek |first2=Max |date=2011 |title='Up ewig Ungedeelt!' Schleswig-Holstein 1864–1920 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/48601730 |journal=Journal of Conflict Archaeology |volume=6 |issue=2 |pages=154 |issn=1574-0773 |jstor=48601730}}</ref> The Danes were overrun by the Prussian military and retreated to Als,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Düppeldenkmal |url=https://www.deutsche-schutzgebiete.de/dueppeldenkmal.htm |website=schutzgebiete.de |date=23 December 2018 |access-date=3 March 2024 |archive-date=15 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180115141346/https://www.deutsche-schutzgebiete.de/dueppeldenkmal.htm |url-status=usurped }}</ref> where they too, were defeated. The Danes lost 8.000 men at Dybbøl and Als, and in two months the Danish army had lost over 20% of its army.<ref name=":19" /> The Prussians afterward proposed a peace to Denmark, even letting Denmark keep Northern Schleswig. Yet the Danes rejected, and it would take the occupation of all of Jutland before king Christian would settle for peace.<ref>From :da:2. Slesvigske Krig#Afsluttende kampe (in Danish)</ref> Christian, desperate to preserve the ''Helstat'' even proposed Denmark, to join the German confederation, in return for him still being duke in Schleswig, Holstein, and Saxe-Lauenburg.<ref name=":20">[http://politiken.dk/kultur/article1038865.ece Hemmeligt arkiv: Kongen tilbød Danmark til tyskerne efter 1864] 18 August 2010 (politiken.dk)</ref> Yet the proposal was rejected in fear of a troublesome Danish minority in the German Confederation.<ref name=":20" /> In the end, the treaty of Vienna was signed on 30 October 1864 and Denmark ended up losing all three duchies.<ref>{{cite web |title=The defeat of Austria |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Germany/Franco-German-conflict-and-the-new-German-Reich |accessdate=19 February 2021 |publisher=Encyclopædia Britannica |language=English}}</ref>
The connection between Schleswig and Holstein meant that Denmark could have won Holstein through Schleswig - instead, they lost Schleswig through Holstein.<ref name=":6" />
=== Aftermath and The Revised Constitution (1866) === The war of 1864 is considered a national trauma for Denmark.<ref name="Long Shadow">{{Cite web |last=Glenthøj |first=Rasmus |date=8 April 2019 |title=The Long Shadow of a Defeat |url=https://www.carlsbergfondet.dk/en/Forskningsaktiviteter/Research-Projects/Other-Research-Projects/Rasmus-Glenthoej_The-Long-Shadow-of-a-Defeat |access-date=30 March 2020 |website=www.carlsbergfondet.dk |publisher=Carlsberg Foundation |language=en |quote=The status of the war within Danish history is reflected in the fact, that it is normally referred to simply as '1864', the year the war was fought. The defeat marked the end of the Danish-German composite state, the formation of the Danish nation-state, and the creation of modern-day Denmark. It is seen as a national trauma that gave birth to an existential angst and it has been claimed that the defeat is central to any grasp of Danish identity, culture, history, and politics. |location=Copenhagan |archive-date=23 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220823091403/https://www.carlsbergfondet.dk/en/Forskningsaktiviteter/Research-Projects/Other-Research-Projects/Rasmus-Glenthoej_The-Long-Shadow-of-a-Defeat |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="Contested">{{Cite conference |last=Greßhake |first=Florian |date=June 2011 |title=Contested Cultural Heritage – Contested Space. Discourses on the Museum Landscape in the Danish-German Border Region |url=http://www.ep.liu.se/ecp/062/022/ecp11062022.pdf |conference=Current Issues in European Cultural Studies |pages=198 |via=Linköping University Electronic Press}}</ref> The ''Helstat'' was no more and the prime minister of Denmark, Ditlev Gothard Monrad resigned on 11 July 1864.<ref name="ReferenceA">Johann Schioldann-Nielsen, "Prime Minister D. G. Monrad: manic-depressive disorder and political leadership", ''History of Psychiatry'', March 1996 7: 063-90. Accessed 15 February 2016</ref> The National Liberal Party would see its downfall and would be dissolved in 1882.<ref name="Burton">{{cite book |last=Sir Richard Francis Burton |url=https://archive.org/details/ultimathuleoras00burtgoog |title=Ultima Thule: Or, A Summer in Iceland |publisher=W.P. Nimmo |year=1875 |location=Original from the University of Michigan |page=[https://archive.org/details/ultimathuleoras00burtgoog/page/n136 104] |quote=National Liberal Party denmark.}}</ref> King Christian and the other politicians would seek to create a new constitution, which was made in 1866, which further Democratized the nation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Den gennemsete Grundlov af 28. juli 1866 |url=https://danmarkshistorien.dk/vis/materiale/den-gennemsete-grundlov-af-28-juli-1866 |website=Danmarkshistorien.dk}}</ref>
Denmark was now a state consisting of only Danes, and would even reject the full annexation of Schleswig in 1920, in order not to gain any considerable minority of Germans on its southern border, this would start the Easter Crisis between the monarch and government.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lange |first=Ove |title=Påskekrisen 1920 |url=https://denstoredanske.lex.dk/P%C3%A5skekrisen_1920 |website=Lex.dk}}</ref>
== See also ==
* {{Annotated link|Habsburg monarchy}} * {{Annotated link|Denmark–Norway}} * {{Annotated link|federation}} * {{Annotated link|Kingdom of the Netherlands (1815-1839)}} * {{Annotated link|Schleswig-Holstein}} * {{Annotated link|House of Romanov}}
== Footnotes == {{notelist}}
== References ==
{{reflist}}
Category:History of Denmark by period Category:Government of Denmark Category:History of Schleswig-Holstein Category:States and territories disestablished in 1864