Anglo-Danish War in the mid-late 1800's?

Hey Guys,

I was just wondering if there was a way in which you could have a war between the United Kingdom and Denmark in the Mid-Late 1800's. I know there was in the early 1800's due to the Napoleonic Wars but that's in the wrong time period for me.

I'm looking for a relatively big war, not one that lasts just a few weeks, I'm talking about something that's pretty big in fact that the British will win.

Can anyone help me? Thanks if you can :)
 

yourworstnightmare

Banned
Donor
The big problem is why. Denmark was a weak nation, desperately holding on to Schleswig- Holstein, while Britain was THE Great Power, not really that interrested in the affairs of weak nations like Denmark.
 
Exactly, this is the thing. I need a spark that could set a war of. I was thinking Britain claims Greenland while Denmark refuses to allow it to. Thus Britain becomes angry and just to teach Denmark a lesson it practically obliterates its navy and captures Greenland. Britain would then capture the Danish West Indies, and Tharangambadi (depending if it's before or after 1845.) The West Indies would be returned and Britain would pay a massively cut price for Greenland.

I mean it's just an idea I really haven't a clue.
 
The Danish Antilles or whatever the Virgin Islands were called before American bought them, doesn't seem like a good reason. I mean, the British had JAMAICA! They could fight over Greenland or Iceland, if the British had a strategic reason to take those islands.
 

Redbeard

Banned
My best bid would be Denmark having gained active support from Russia in the conflict over Slesvig-Holsten (PoD has to be before the OTL London treaty of 1852 that gave free access through the Danish Straits). That ought to have GB become worried as the price for that support is likely to be Russian de facto control of the Baltic Entrances. So next a fleet is sent off to Copenhagen...

If you can wait until WWI Denmark in effect was a German vassal defending the German North flank, that ought to give some opportunities.

Regards

Steffen Redbeard
 
Could an even more sinister/manipulative Bismarck somehow provoke a war between Denmark and the UK, getting them to do their dirty work for them?

Or perhaps a fledgling Norwegian independence movement somehow gains British backing...though I can't think of a pretext for that.
 
Crimean War:
If the succession issue of Denmark hasn't been solved yet with the Tsar demanding Danish closure of the straits to the Western Powers from entering the Baltic in exchange of support in the succession issue such a war may happen.

Denmark will try everything possible to avoid going to war with Britain but the succession issue is essential in keeping the Russian alliance and relations with the German states.

OTL the Tsar didn't mind Denmark staying neutral but ITTL???
 
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