This is a research paper exploring the Schleswig-Holstein Question in the context of German unification. The paper examines the centuries-long history of the duchies of Schleswig and Holstein, emphasizing the complex dynastic relationships, treaties, and cultural clashes between the Germans and Danes. It analyzes the roles of Prussia, Austria, and Denmark in the two Schleswig-Holstein wars of 1848 and 1864, focusing on the motivations and ambitions of these major players. The paper argues that the conflicts served as a catalyst for the unification of Germany, demonstrating the potency of German nationalism in the context of both liberalism and power politics. The author introduces a new theoretical framework, dynamic nationalism, which explains how pre-existing ethnic and cultural ties can evolve in response to external pressures and historical events. The paper is extensively sourced, relying on primary documents, historical texts, and scholarly works to support its arguments.
SOURCE
A Thesis Submitted to the Graduate Faculty
of the North Dakota State University
of Agriculture and Applied Science
By Christian Anthony Ahlers