Denmark during the First World War
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 10076115 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Bent Blüdnikow (corresponding author) |
| Year | 1989 |
| Volume | 24 |
| Issue | 4 |
| Pages | 683-703 |
| Publication date | 1989-10-01 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Journal of Contemporary History (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0022-0094 • E-ISSN: 1461-7250 |
| Publisher | SAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US) |
| DOI | 10.1177/002200948902400407 |
| OpenAlex | W2069883820 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 2 |
| References cited | 1 |
During the first world war, Denmark was neutral, a status achieved not without some difficulty and one which the country had to work hard to retain. This neutrality was not entirely unambiguous, since Foreign Minister Erik J.C. Scavenius declared that Denmark would 'show favourable neutrality' towards Germany, adding, however, 'as far as this is consistent with the notion of neutrality'. It was the very sensitive and ambiguous relations with Denmark's southern neighbour which created most of the difficulties. After the German-Danish wars of the nineteenth century and the still unresolved problem of sovereignty over Southern Jutland, it was imperative not to provoke mighty Germany and thus precipitate a favourable solution to the problem. The Foreign Minister, Erik J.C. Scavenius, was a uniquely qualified career diplomat and eminently suited to execute this balanced policy because of his special perception and knowledge of German interests. Scavenius had been a counsellor at the Danish legation in Berlin for a number of years and thus had a very intimate understanding of the precarious relations between Germany and Denmark.2 The Foreign Minister's definition of neutrality was not in accord with the normal international definition of that word. One country could not be sympathetic towards another in a war and, at the same time, claim the privilege of neutrality. Special consideration of Germany's interests was so dominant in Danish foreign policy that Denmark was ready to risk contravening the concept of pure neutrality.3 On the other hand, Denmark also wanted good relations with Britain. To keep out of the war and be able to enjoy the advantages of its extensive international trade and shipping, it was essential that Denmark maintained its ability to manoeuvre between the two powers and be recognized by both of them as neutral. In July
Danish · Economic history · Foreign policy · German · Neutrality · Political science · Politics · Sociology · Sovereignty · World War II · Balkan and Eastern European Studies · History · Law · Philosophy
| Citations per year | 0.14 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 2012 - 2024 (13) |
| Highly cited | No |