The Tipping Point

The chapter explores the events following the sudden death of Frederick VII. The king’s death made the new duke of Augustenburg launch a claim to the duchies with the support of the German Confederation, while Bismarck went back on his word as he formally protested to the new constitution for Denmark and Schleswig passed to days prior to Frederick’s demise. The ascension of Christian IX to the Danish throne had made the creation of a Scandinavian union under the house of Bernadotte more difficult and created doubts about Danish foreign policy as the new Danish king was an ardent supporter of the unitary state. As such, Christian IX was hesitant to sign the new constitution that undermined the unitary state and heightened the risk for war. The government, on the other hand, stock to its policy, the mood in Copenhagen became revolutionary and the Scandinavianist tried to gain the supports of the Bernadottes for a revolt. Christian IX caved in and signed the constitution, but soon revered to his own policy. With the support of Russia and Britain, the king tried to have a new constitution revoked. This policy was aided when internal strife in the Swedish government caused the Scandinavian alliance to be put on hold. Unlike traditionalist historiography, however, the chapter shows how the matter was far from settled. Key ministers remained open to a war policy. This causes a permanent crisis within the Swedish government.Uncertainty about the Scandinavian alliance undermined Hall’s position and caused his fall from power. He was replaced by Monrad on 31 December 1863. Before leaving office, however, Hall had sent Parliament home, hereby, making it impossible to revoke the constitution. For a moment, however, a war seemed preventable as Britain tried to have the Danish-German dispute solved at an international conference.