Denmark : A Modern History

First published in 1986, Denmark seeks to show the way in which modern Denmark, with its high standard of living, its sense of an orderly society, and its tolerance, had emerged and been shaped since the beginning of the 19^th century. It traces its political history, the emergence of political parties and the protracted struggle for parliamentary democracy in the face of a king determined to appoint his own ministers. It looks at the determination of the Danes after the financial repercussions of the Napoleonic wars and the territorial and economic losses resulting from the Schleswig-Holstein debacle in 1864 to win through and recoup their losses. Social changes are described in some detail, particularly in the twentieth century and attention is paid to the workings of the Danish welfare state. Appendices trace in broad outline the historical relationship between Denmark and its former colonies of Greenland and Faroe Islands, now both self-governing territories. This book will be of interest to students of history, geography, political science, sociology and cultural studies.