Lyla Lindsey
The Second Schleswig War, also known as the German-Danish War, began on 1 February 1864, when Prussian and Austrian forces crossed the border into the Danish fief of Schleswig. This conflict, which concerned the territories of Schleswig, Holstein, and Lauenburg, was the second military dispute over the Schleswig-Holstein question of the nineteenth century. The war was fought for control of the duchies and their significant German-speaking populations, which the Kingdom of Denmark attempted to degermanise and integrate more closely with the rest of the kingdom. The immediate cause of the war was the passing of the November Constitution of 1863, which tied the Duchy of Schleswig more closely to the Danish kingdom, which was viewed by the German side as a violation of the London Protocol.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of attack | 1 February 1864 |
| Reason | To gain control of the duchies of Schleswig, Holstein, and Lauenburg |
| Succession disputes | |
| Denmark's attempt to integrate the Duchy of Schleswig into the Danish kingdom | |
| The November Constitution of 1863 | |
| The March decree of 1863 | |
| The London Protocol | |
| The Treaty of London | |
| The Treaty of Vienna | |
| Dynastic crisis | |
| Nationalism | |
| Threat to the international balance of power |
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What You'll Learn
The Second Schleswig War
The conflict concerned three territories: Schleswig, Holstein, and Lauenburg, and their significant German-speaking populations. The Kingdom of Denmark attempted to "degermanise" these territories and integrate them more closely with the rest of the kingdom. This was a continuation of a conflict that had its roots in the 1814 Treaty of Kiel, which gave significant advantages to Sweden and Britain as a way of 'punishing' Denmark for having supported France during the war. Denmark, therefore, decided to reassert its power in the three duchies.
The war was also influenced by a dynastic crisis, as the heir to the Danish king, Frederick VII, had no direct descendants, and the Salic law of the duchies was contrary to Denmark's laws of succession, which allowed male succession via a female line. This meant that the successor to the Danish throne, Christian IX, could not be recognised in the duchies, with Frederick of Augustenburg being named duke instead. This triggered a succession crisis, with Christian IX as the rightful ruler of the duchies contested by Frederick of Augustenburg.
In the lead-up to the war, there were failed attempts to settle the constitutional dispute, and Danish nationalism was on the rise, with ideas of a common Scandinavian front against Germany being discussed. Denmark's new shared constitution for the duchies and the kingdom further escalated tensions, as it was viewed by the German side as a violation of the London Protocol. On 14 January 1864, Austria and Prussia declared that they would take action against Denmark without regard to the decisions of the German Confederation. Bismarck issued an ultimatum to Denmark, demanding that the November Constitution be abolished within 48 hours, which was rejected by the Danish government.
The war ended on 30 October 1864, with the Treaty of Vienna and Denmark's cession of the Duchies of Schleswig (except for the island of Ærø, which remained Danish), Holstein, and Saxe-Lauenburg to Prussia and Austria.
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The London Protocol
In the lead-up to the war, there were attempts to resolve the dispute through diplomacy, including the London Conference of 1864, which took place from April 25 to June 25, 1864. However, these efforts ultimately failed to prevent the outbreak of the Second Schleswig War, which ended on October 30, 1864, with the Treaty of Vienna and Denmark's cession of the duchies to Prussia and Austria.
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Constitutional dispute
The conflict between Prussia, Austria, and Denmark in 1864, also known as the Second Schleswig War, had its roots in a complex set of issues, including a constitutional dispute. This dispute centred around the question of how the duchies of Schleswig, Holstein, and Lauenburg, with their significant German-speaking populations, related to Denmark, to each other, and to the German Confederation.
The constitutional dispute was a key factor in the conflict. It arose due to conflicting succession laws and competing claims to power. When King Frederick VI of Denmark died in 1839, a crisis emerged as the succession laws of Denmark clashed with those of Holstein, and the status of Schleswig became uncertain. The heir to the Danish throne, Frederick VII, had no direct descendants, and the Salic law of the duchies contradicted Denmark's laws of succession. As a result, the successor to the Danish throne could not be recognised in the duchies, creating a constitutional crisis.
Adding to this complexity, in 1848, Denmark adopted its first liberal constitution, which further fuelled the secessionist movement in Holstein and southern Schleswig. This movement aimed for these territories to become a united, sovereign, and independent state, separate from Denmark. However, Denmark worked to suppress this movement and sought to integrate the Duchy of Schleswig more closely into the Danish kingdom.
In March 1863, Frederick VII issued a decree that appeared to confirm Holstein's separation from Denmark. This decree allowed legislation enacted for the monarchy to be valid for Denmark and Schleswig but could be vetoed within Holstein. The German Confederation asked Denmark to withdraw this decree, but Danish nationalism and resistance to German influence were on the rise, leading to a refusal.
The constitutional dispute escalated when Denmark passed the November Constitution of 1863, which tied the Duchy of Schleswig more closely to the Danish kingdom. This was seen by the German side as a violation of the London Protocol and a threat to their interests. As a result, Prussia and Austria declared in January 1864 that they would take action against Denmark, ultimately leading to the Second Schleswig War.
In summary, the constitutional dispute between Prussia, Austria, and Denmark in the mid-19th century was a complex issue involving conflicting succession laws, competing claims to power, and attempts by Denmark to integrate the disputed duchies into its kingdom. This dispute was a significant factor in the outbreak of the Second Schleswig War in 1864.
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German-speaking populations
The conflict between Prussia, Austria, and Denmark in 1864, also known as the Second Schleswig War, the German-Danish War, or the War of the Duchies, was driven by several factors, including disputed succession, nationalistic tensions, and the status of German-speaking populations in the duchies of Schleswig, Holstein, and Lauenburg.
The German-speaking populations in these duchies played a significant role in the conflict. The duchies, located on the Jutland Peninsula in northern Europe, had been ruled separately by Danish kings since the 15th century but had shared a sovereign with Schleswig and Holstein at various points in their history. Over time, the significant German-speaking populations in these duchies became increasingly influenced by the "Germanic Party," advocating for closer ties with the German Confederation and a united, sovereign, and independent state. This movement gained momentum throughout the 1850s and 1860s as Denmark attempted to integrate the Duchy of Schleswig more closely into its kingdom, while proponents of German unification sought to include the Danish-ruled duchies in a Greater Germany.
The German Confederation, which included Prussia and Austria, supported the interests of the German-speaking populations in these duchies. When Denmark passed the November Constitution of 1863, which tied the Duchy of Schleswig more closely to the Danish kingdom, it was seen by the German Confederation as a violation of the London Protocol and a threat to the rights of the German-speaking populations. This led to Prussia and Austria's declaration of action against Denmark in January 1864, culminating in the Second Schleswig War.
During the war, the Prussian and Austrian forces crossed the border into Schleswig on February 1, 1864, despite resistance from the Federal Assembly of the German Confederation. The conflict ended on October 30, 1864, with the Treaty of Vienna, which resulted in Denmark ceding the Duchies of Schleswig, Holstein, and Saxe-Lauenburg to Prussia and Austria. This outcome reflected the aspirations of the German-speaking populations within these territories, who sought greater autonomy and alignment with the German Confederation.
The conflict over the duchies and the German-speaking populations within them had a significant impact on the region's political landscape. It contributed to the rise of nationalism in both Denmark and Germany, with Denmark promoting the idea of a common Scandinavian front against Germany, and Germany pursuing unification and expansion under the leadership of Otto von Bismarck. The outcome of the war altered the balance of power in northern Europe, shaping the future relationship between Denmark and the German Confederation.
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Dynastic crisis
The conflict between Prussia, Austria, and Denmark in 1864, also known as the Second Schleswig War, was influenced by a dynastic crisis within Denmark. This crisis emerged due to discrepancies in the succession laws of Denmark and the duchies of Schleswig and Holstein, which were under Danish rule.
Upon the death of King Frederick VI of Denmark in 1839, a complex situation arose due to the absence of a direct male heir. While the Salic law of the duchies required a direct male descendant, Denmark's laws permitted male succession through a female line. As a result, the heir to the Danish throne, the future Frederick VII, faced opposition from rival claimants in the duchies, complicating the dynastic landscape.
The dynastic crisis intensified with the death of King Frederick VII in 1863, who also lacked a direct male heir. This triggered a succession dispute, with Christian IX ascending the Danish throne in accordance with the Treaty of London. However, in the duchies, a separate claimant to power emerged: Prince Frederick of Augustenburg, whose father had previously renounced his rights over the territories in London. This rivalry between claimants further exacerbated the existing tensions between Denmark and the German Confederation, which sought to exert its influence in the region.
The November Constitution of 1863, which aimed to strengthen the ties between Denmark and the Duchy of Schleswig, was viewed by the German side as a violation of the London Protocol. This constitution, passed shortly before Frederick VII's death, further escalated the dynastic crisis and contributed to the growing conflict. Bismarck, the Prussian chancellor, issued an ultimatum to Denmark, demanding the abolition of this constitution, which was rejected.
The dynastic crisis in Denmark, characterised by disputed successions and conflicting laws, thus played a significant role in the tensions between Prussia, Austria, and Denmark. It served as a critical element in the complex web of factors that ultimately led to the Second Schleswig War in 1864.
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Frequently asked questions
Prussia and Austria attacked Denmark over the Schleswig-Holstein question, a complex set of issues arising from the relationship of the duchies of Schleswig and Holstein to Denmark, to each other, and to the German Confederation.
The war began when Denmark passed the November Constitution of 1863, which tied the Duchy of Schleswig more closely to the Danish kingdom. This was viewed by Prussia and Austria as a violation of the London Protocol.
The war ended on 30 October 1864, with the Treaty of Vienna and Denmark's cession of the Duchies of Schleswig, Holstein, and Saxe-Lauenburg to Prussia and Austria.
