I know I'm missing something here, but why did Denmark get territory from Germany after WW1? Denmark was neutral so I'm a little confused. Could somebody explain? Thanks.
Redbeard said:From the birth of the Danish nation (probably 9th century, but could be before) and until 15th century what later was called Slesvig/Schleswig was an integral part of Denmark. After that and until 1864 Slesvig and Holsten/Holstein were (simply put) parts of the German Empire, but ruled by the King of Denmark, as Duke of Slesvig and Holsten. But over all the centuries the border between Danish and German ethnicity ran roughly between Slesvig and Holsten. In 19th century there were strong sentiments to unite nationalities, Germans wanted to unite in a German Empire and Danes in a Danish Kingdom. The problem was however that in a 15th century treaty the Danish King had promised never to separate Slesvig and Holstein. So when the Danes made attempts to include Slesvig in the Kingdom German nationlists used this as a cause for rebellion with Prussian support. In 1848-50 as "volunteers" and in 1864 with Prussia and A-H formally declaring war on Denmark.
The first war was a draw where Denmark in the London treaty of 1851 obliged not to separate Slesvig and Holstein, but kept rule over both Slesvig and Holsten. In 1864 a Nationalistic government in Copenhagen decided to ignore the London treaty and forwarded a new constitution which included Slesvig in the Kingdom, but left Holsten as a German Dukedom ruled by the King of Denmark (as a Duke). That was a clear breach of the London Treaty and nothing could stop Bismarck with support of all Germany and A-H to declare war on Denmark. London did want to intermediate, but gave up, not at least because the Danish Government acted extremely stubbornly and actually believed the Prussians could be defeated (the first war had after some initial trouble been a military success). The Army was ill prepared however (in good spirit but no rifled artillery and only muzzle loaders) and was further handicapped by the politicians demanding that a symbolic but untenable position should be taken up at the Dannevirke, an ancient fortification wall at the border between Slesvig and Holstein. The commander on his own hand decided to withdraw to a better but hastily prepared position at Dybbøl near Sønderborg in early 1864. Here the Army was battered by long range rifled Prussian artillery and driven back to the island of Als in April 1864, but intact thanks to a spirited counterattack by the 8th Brigade. The Danish Navy had command of the sea but failed utterly (didn't even try) to stop the Prussians from setting across to Als and splitting the regrouping Danish troops. With an intact Danish army on Als or one of the other islands the Prussians would have had a difficult time in Jutland as they would always risk a flanking landing cutting them off (was used with success in the war 1848-50), but with the events on Als the game was over and Bismarck took both Slesvig and Holsten and included them in Prussia. The Holstein rebels had clealy hope for an independent S-H nation, but as Bismarck said: "I can allways break the neck on the cockerel I've raised myself" (quote from memory and in own translation).
After WWI it was again opportune to hope for a reunification with Slesvig. The French said we could take as much of Germany as we wanted, but it was wisely decided to have a referndum. S-H was divided into three zones, one was Holstein, the second was the southern strip incl. Flensborg (roughly 15 miles wide) of Schleswig and the third the rest of Schleswig. The referendum gave a clear majority for Germany in Holstein and for Denmark in N. Schleswig and a comfortable German majority in the "strip". In both northern zones the rural areas generally had close to 100% Danes, but most of the towns/cities had many Germans settled there in the Prussian period. The border was drawn between the "strip" N. Schleswig with effect from 1920 and still is there today but is called Sønderjylland (Southern Jutland), Slesvig doesn't exist in Danish official terminology any longer, apart from a regiment called Slesvigske Fodregiment (Slesvigian Foot Regiment).
It is remarkable that Hitler never questioned that border, but probably because Germany in 1920 didn't loose anything that had historically been populated by Germans (but gained the "strip"). As late as post WWII it was discussed seriously if the "strip" should be annexed into Denmark, but the Danes had now become a clear minority (less than 20%) and the subject was dropped and hasn't been raised since. There are still ethnic minorities on both sides of the border, but nothing even approaching serious problems.
Regards
Steffen Redbeard