The Danish Empire: Its Historical Expansion and Modern Status

The Danish Empire refers to the historical territories controlled by Denmark from the late Middle Ages until the 20th century. It was characterized by a series of conquests, colonization, and trade, resulting in a diverse empire that included regions in Europe and overseas territories.

Key Components of the Danish Empire

The Danish Empire covered a vast array of territories, which can be broadly segmented into different regions. Let's explore each of them in detail:

Scandinavia

The core of the empire was Scandinavia, which included:

Denmark: The focal point from which the empire was managed and expanded. Norway: United with Denmark from 1380 until 1814. Sweden: Part of the Kalmar Union (1397-1523) but became independent after the union dissolved.

North Atlantic Islands

The Danish Empire also included various islands in the North Atlantic, such as:

Greenland: Colonized by Denmark in the 18th century and still a territory of Denmark today. The Faroe Islands: A self-governing territory of Denmark since 1948.

Colonies and Trading Posts

The Danish Empire also had overseas territories, which played a significant role in the empire's expansion:

In the Americas: Virgin Islands (formerly Danish West Indies): Now part of the U.S. Virgin Islands. In Asia: Tranquebar: A Danish trading post in present-day India. In Africa: Danish Gold Coast: A Danish colony that is now part of present-day Ghana.

Historical Context

The empire began to take shape in the late 14th century and expanded through various means, including military conquest and trade. At its height, the Danish Empire was a significant European power. However, it began to decline in the 17th century with the rise of other powers and lost many territories in the 19th century. The final significant loss was the cession of Norway to Sweden in 1814.

Today, Denmark maintains sovereignty over Greenland and the Faroe Islands, while other former territories have become independent nations.

Early Expansion and the North Sea Empire

The empire's early origins can be traced back to the 10th century, when the Danish king Sweyn Forkbeard established the North Sea Empire in 1013, which reached its height of power under the rule of King Cnut the Great (Cnut I of Denmark, England, and Norway). This collection of lands ruled by Danish kings is often labeled an “empire” by modern historians. It encompassed the lands of the kingdom of Denmark and included lands since lost to Sweden, the kingdom of Norway, and the kingdom of England, all united in a personal union until its split up following the death of King Cnut in 1035.

The Baltic Sea Empire

After the dissolution of the North Sea empire, Danish kings focused on expanding their control to the east, targeting pagan Slavs known as the Wends. This culminated in the height of Danish power over the Baltic sea region under King Valdemar the Victorious (Valdemar II), who conquered lands as far east as Estonia in 1219. However, these expansions did not last long. The 14th century was marked by crisis in Denmark, financial bankruptcy, and massive debts, which led to a period of division between German counts from Holstein.

The Kalmar Union: A Period of Union and Division

In response to the crisis, Margaret I, the granddaughter of King Valdemar IV, used her skills as a brilliant politician to get her son Oluf recognized as king of both Denmark and Norway, leading to the Kalmar Union, which lasted from 1397 to 1523. This union controlled land in modern Denmark, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and officially claimed Greenland, although it had no real control over the latter at that time.

The Decline and Fragmentation of the Danish Empire

The Kalmar Union ended in 1523 when the nobles of Sweden elected their own king, Gustav Vasa. Denmark and Norway, however, retained their personal union until 1814. Following the dissolution of the Kalmar Union, several wars occurred between Denmark-Norway and Sweden. Initially, Denmark remained the victor for most of them, but in the 17th century, the balance of power shifted in Sweden's favor. As a result, Denmark was forced to cede lands like Gotland, J?mtland, and Scania to Sweden, the most expensive peace in Danish history.

Despite these losses, Denmark-Norway remained an important North European power with a strong navy and acquired its own colonies. By the 18th century, the Danish monarchy was in possession of the kingdom of Denmark, the kingdom of Norway, Iceland, the Faroe Islands, and Greenland, as well as the colonies in the North Atlantic and Asia.

In the end, all the colonies not situated in the North Atlantic sea were sold, and because of the Napoleonic wars, Denmark lost Norway to Sweden in 1814, although it gained the German duchy of Lauenburg. The duchies of Slesvig-Holstein and Lauenburg were lost to Prussia following the war of 1864, with the northern part of Slesvig being returned to Denmark in 1920. Iceland became an independent republic in 1944 during the German occupation of Denmark.

Today, this is what remains of the ‘Danish empire’:

Denmark proper The autonomous parts of the kingdom (Greenland and the Faroe Islands) A potential future reevaluation of sovereignty for the Faroe Islands