So to those that don't know it
"Helstaten", is a Danish term from back in the day, which was a term to describe the Kingdom of Denmark + the duchies, Slesvig, Holstein and Lauenburg, which all were in personal union with Denmark.
before the Napoleonic wars it also included Norway.
Anyways it lost its importance after the Second Schleswig War in 1864 when all three duchies were lost. In Denmark this war is often blamed on the nationalist who gained power in 1863 ( I think) who wanted nothing to do with
Helstaten. Instead, they wanted a purely Danish state, so Denmark + Slesvig.
During this time, the people in favour of the Helstaten ideology (if you can call it that) was the old elite the conservatives etc.
Last weekend I visited the Dannevirke museum in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany and it made me think.
What if instead of a Danish, Pan-Scandinavian nationalism. Another one would sweep the nation.
This nationalism would be one that embraced the dualistic nature of the Danish monarchy, Danish and German.
Let's say there is still a civil war in 1848-1851, nearly identical to what happened in OTL, so outside interference but eventually Schleswig-Holstein and Denmark duke it out, with Denmark emerging the victor.
The following years instead of a pure Danish nationalism, the dual Dano-Holsteiner one flourishes, embracing
Helstaten.
So in 1863 the National Liberal government formed by Monrad is pro
Helstaten and instead of trying to unite Denmark and Slesvig. They want to unite the whole thing under one constitution.
This government goes ahead with uniting both Denmark and all three duchies.
Their big thing is ending absolutism in the duchies and bring democracy there etc.
The duchies are pro this development for reasons
So we will see a united
Helstaten.
To put it into perspective, the duchies are 1/3 of the land, 2/5 of the population and if I remember correct 3/5 of the economy. So it is not some irrelevant part but will play an important role in the Dano-Holsteiner state.
Also interesting is that Copenhagen, at this period is like 25 % German.
This alternative development brings up several questions.
Will it lead to war with Prussia and Austria like OTL? if yes can
Helstaten survive.
One of the aspects that could lead to war is Holsteins position as part of the German Confederation.
Since
Helstaten embraces the German part of the nation. Would it want to join, would other German states want it to join etc.
What would Norwegian + Swedish Nationalism look upon this. Would a failed Scandinavian Nationalism still be a thing? Or would it not even develop due to the lack of the Danish part of it.
going to the future, disregarding the massive butterflies.
What kind of role would
Helstaten play in an eventual ww1/ww2 ?