When Prussia was at war with Denmark over Schleswig-Holstein the British PM, Lord Palmerston came very close to joining the war on Denmark's side a number of times:
When the war started in February Denmark requested the the British come to their aid and Russell urged him to send a fleet to Copenhagen but nothing came of it as it was believed that France wouldn't cross the Rhine. In April the Austrian navy was sailing to Denmark and an ultimatum was issued that if they entered the English channel Britain would declare war, the Austrians turned back. In June another ultimatum was issued that if Copenhagen was threatened Britain would go to war with Prussia and Austria and many conservative MPs wanted to go to war.
So what if Britain and maybe France had gone to war with Prussia and Austria over Schleswig-Holstein? Who would win and how would this affect the balance of power in Europe?
When the war started in February Denmark requested the the British come to their aid and Russell urged him to send a fleet to Copenhagen but nothing came of it as it was believed that France wouldn't cross the Rhine. In April the Austrian navy was sailing to Denmark and an ultimatum was issued that if they entered the English channel Britain would declare war, the Austrians turned back. In June another ultimatum was issued that if Copenhagen was threatened Britain would go to war with Prussia and Austria and many conservative MPs wanted to go to war.
So what if Britain and maybe France had gone to war with Prussia and Austria over Schleswig-Holstein? Who would win and how would this affect the balance of power in Europe?