Schleswig-Holstein War (1848-1865 (

Abstract

       Denmark witnessed two armed conflicts in the first half of the nineteenth century over sovereignty over the duchies of Schleswig and Holstein, known as the First Schleswig Wars 1848–1851 and the Second Schleswig Wars 1864-1865. The first war erupted following demands from representatives of the two duchies for an independent constitution, which Denmark considered a threat to its unity. These demands led to an armed rebellion supported by the German Confederation, but were later suppressed with Russian diplomatic support, while emphasizing the continued existence of the two duchies under the Danish crown. However, the issue escalated again when Denmark adopted a unified constitution with Schleswig in 1863. With this move, the Danish government merged the Duchy of Schleswig with the kingdom, through what was known as the "November Constitution." This was considered a clear violation of international agreements and a breach of international commitments, prompting Prussia and Austria to wage a second war, which ended in a crushing defeat for Denmark. Its consequences affected its geographical map, as it resulted in Denmark's loss of Schleswig, Holstein, and the Duchy of Lüneburg, along with its strategic decline and the loss of a fifth of its population. This represented a decisive turning point in Danish foreign policy, as it adopted permanent neutrality and focused on building a cohesive national identity in the wake of the national shock of 1864.