Case Two: Denmark-Germany—The Schleswig-Holstein Issue: Two Wars, a Loss of Territory, Irredentism, Plebiscite, the Redrawing of a Border, and Minority Rights 1864–1920 (& 1955)

This chapter examines the Schleswig-Holstein issue, highlighting the complex historical conflict between Denmark and Germany from 1864 to 1920, and its resolution in 1955. It explores the origins and outcomes of two wars that led to Denmark's territorial loss and the struggle for national identity within the contested duchies of Schleswig-Holstein. The narrative progresses to the post-World War I period, where a plebiscite redefined borders and facilitated minority rights, culminating in the Bonn-Copenhagen Declarations of 1955. These developments not only reshaped the territorial boundaries but also set a landmark precedent for minority rights in Europe, transforming a bitter conflict into a model of peaceful coexistence and cooperation between Denmark and Germany.