3.3.1 Denmark: A Chronology Of Important Dates 1800-now
Description
This article is from the Nordic countries FAQ, by Antti Lahelma and Johan Olofsson, with numerous contributions by others.
3.3.1 Denmark: A Chronology Of Important Dates 1800-now
1800
Serfdom (stavnsbåndet) is again abolished. As a consequence
land-rent is fixed and paid in money, not in work, and then
most farms are sold to the peasants. In 1815 60% of the farmers
owned their own land, however heavily in debt. The difference
between farm workers and farmers increased. (The farm workers
constituted approximately the half of Denmark's population
in 1801.)
April 1801
The battle of the Roadstead of Copenhagen (Slaget på Reden).
The British force Denmark to retreat from the Armed Neutral
Alliance with Sweden and Russia. Admiral Nelson was in charge
of the part of the British fleet which partook in the battle.
September 1807
The British under Wellington bombard Copenhagen, to make
Denmark cede its navy. Denmark becomes a French ally.
1813-14
The alliance with Napoleon becomes a disaster for Denmark: the
country goes bankrupt. In the peace treaty of Kiel, Denmark has
to cede Norway to Sweden. Denmark also gets Swedish Pomerania
which is traded with Prussia for Lauenburg. Iceland, Greenland,
and the Faroe Islands remain with Denmark.
1848-51
After a Prussian-inspired revolt in Schleswig-Holstein, the
first war of Slesvig ends with status quo. Denmark still
controls the duchies of Slesvig, Holstein, and Lauenburg.
1849
King Fredrik VII authorized a new constitution instituting a
representative form of government. In addition, wide ranging
social and educational reforms took place.
Religious freedom was enacted and the Church was declared
independent of the State, although this independence never has
been realized - mainly due to internal conflicts in the Church
- The King (the Queen) has remained the head of Church who
appoints priests, confirms hymnals, etcetera.
1863-64
Denmark adopts the "November Constitution" which aims to unite
Slesvig (but not Holstein) with the Danish Kingdom and
therefore is a violation of the peace treaty of 1851 in which
Denmark had promised not to separate the two duchies. Due to
this, Prussia and Austria declare war and conquer Slesvig,
Holstein, and Lauenburg in the second war of Slesvig.
1901
Parliamentarism is introduced in Denmark: No government can
rule against the majority of the parliament.
1914-18
Denmark remains neutral during World War I.
1917
Denmark sells her three Caribbean islands to the USA for 25
million dollars (the present-day US Virgin Islands).
1920
The northern part of /Sønderjylland (the former duchy of
Slesvig) is rejoined with Denmark after a referendum.
1933
Great social reforms were instituted, in effect founding
Denmark's modern welfare state.
1940
On April 9th, Germany occupies Denmark despite Denmark having
declared itself neutral; the Danish government gives up
military resistance. However, the Danes retain control of their
government and parliament, which initially remain remarkably
intact regardless of the Nazi occupation.
1943
The relations between the Danish Government and the occupying
German forces worsen rapidly. Most of the Danish Jews are
evacuated to Sweden. Local resistance groups perform a number
of sabotage actions during the war, and the Nazis retaliate
with counter-terror.
1944
Iceland breaks away from union with Denmark and declares
independence.
1945
4-5th of May: The German forces in Denmark surrender to
Britain. The end of World War II ends the German occupation of
Denmark. The German forces on Bornholm refuse to surrender to
the Red Army, and Bornholm has to suffer Soviet bombardment
before the Germans finally surrender a few days later.
1948
The Faroe Islands are granted autonomy within the Danish
Kingdom.
1949
Denmark joins NATO as one of the founding members.
1953
A new constitution alters the status of Greenland from colony
to a "county" (amt) of Denmark. Parliament changes from a
two-chamber system to a single-chamber system. By the same
constitutional changes, Princess Margrethe becomes heir to the
throne.
The Nordic Council founded.
1972
Denmark joins the European Community (EC) after a referendum.
1979
Greenland is granted home rule and starts taking over some of
its internal affairs.
1992
In a referendum Denmark votes "NO" to the Maastricht treaty
(which designs a more federalized European Union). The "NO"
vote shakes the whole European Community.
1993
A new referendum on the Maastricht treaty - allowing Denmark to
opt out on issues such as a common European currency,
citizenship, defense policy, and police - is arranged and
Denmark votes "YES" to that.
Note:
Present-day (i.e., Swedish or German) spellings for the former
Danish/Norwegian landscapes and Danish controlled duchies have
been used.
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