Denmark, 1836-1920

[olvirki]

Table of Contents​

I have made 15 posts that I can edid at any given time. That is so you can read the AAR chapter by chapter without having to sort though the replies (if there will be any, the vicky 1 forums are pretty dead). I have 10 that are needed to take part in "Writing with stAArs" contest and 5 more to be safe. I have few couple of chapters ready and they will be posted soon.

You can reply to a chapter by saying what chapter you are talking about at the top and then say what you want to say.

Btw, I am playing with the original Victoria I. No expansion and no updates.

 

[olvirki]

Denmark was only a shadow of its former self by 1836. She had lost her great power role in Scandinavia after the 30 years war and was defeated again and again in the 17th century by Sweden. If Sweden had not been defeated by Russia and other nemesis, Denmark would have been utterly crushed in 1836. And one can not forget the Napoleon wars. After them Denmark had lost Norway to Sweden and Iceland almost became intependend.

But in 1836 her luck returned. Friedrich Wilhelm, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg, became the king of Denmark. He was crowned as Frederick the VIII. He is more known as Frederick the Great, or at least in Denmark.

Frederick the VIII

His reign was not as great as one might expect to begin with. He slowly started to improving the econamy and increasing relation with Japan and China. He dreamt of improving their army and over all technology but gain the colany of Sakhalin. After series of meeting from 1836-1841 Japan agreed to give Southren-Sakhalin to the Danes. Danish officers and scientists headed were sent to Japan to help her. China however did not agree to the terms.

The era between 1841-1845 is marked by industrial development in Denmark. Almost all other things were put hold. Still, Denmark gained trading station in the pacific and coal station in Africa. They were very cheap. This was however not much of a use to Denmark. She simply didn’t have the money for new colanies now.

 

[olvirki]

1845-1850​

In 1845 an revolutionary event happend, “The Spring Time of Nations.” In this turbulent ere the people of Europe rose up and tried to achive freedom, justice and equal rights. The revolts spread around, were very heavy in Northren Germany, France and Austria. But the people of Europe could not take down the monarchs. They awnsered with brute force and managed to survive.

The great revolution

Even though Denmark did not have any uprisings she was faced with even greater problem. The increasing nationalism affected the duchies Holstein and Schleswig. The Germans there wanted to unite with one of the German states or become independent German states. The Danes however wanted to unite with Denmark. Prussia demanded that these states should unite with Germany but Frederick the VIII was bold. He could not thing of loosing part of Denmark. Even though she was facing the mighty Prussia, the great power. Prussia decided to attack Denmark on the 20th of January, 1847 and Austria joined the war later

The ruler of Denmark, along with fine advisors and generals, put together a plan. The young men of Denmark were mobilized, the army was ordered to the forts at the Holstein-Denmark border and finally the navy sailed to Copenhagen, to stop any bold assaults from Prussia. Holstein could not be saved, German troops took over the country swift. After that a race took place between Denmark and Prussia. Who could outnumber the enemy faster. Both sides had their advantages. Denmark had series of forts helping the plausible defense of Flensburg. Prussia had vast manpower at her hands.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fileybbol_Skanse.jpg

But the great battle never happened. North of the border 70 000 troops stood steady in cover and south of the border 80 000 troops waited for a chance to attack. On the 23rd of september 1847 the peace was signed. It was a white peace. Holstein however was long lost to Germany.

At the end Austria signed a white peace with Denmark. Tired of the long war against the UK and her allies and weaker after Hungary was founded, as well as a total lack of a navy signed a white peace.
Denmark spent the last years of the decade repaying the war debt, building railroads mourning the loss from the war. The world was, however impressed by her defense. That along with things like her industry, made her the 5th greatest power in the world.

During the war Frederick the VIII decided to give some of his power to the parliament. That was understandable during the revelation, the war and the high taxes.

 

[olvirki]

1851-1859​

From 1851-1853 the railroad system was expanded. You could now take a train from Frensburg and go out at Aalborg. Series of meetings with the Chinese government were made and relation raced. To the east war broke out. Russia fought the crimerian war against the Ottoman Empire and Austria.

But the weak country Mecklenburg, the holder of Holstein, tempted Denmark. Money was gathered and soon the army would be made ready for action.

However, on 3rd of may 1853 Frederick died and his son, Christian was crowned as Christian the IX, king of Denmark.

Christian the IX, king of Denmark

Eventually the Chinese government agreed to the Danish proposal and the trading post in North-Sakhalin was sold to Denmark. Danish officers and scientist were sent once again to the far east. Denmark loss of prestige for selling their technology to Chin was matched by the prestige for gaining the colony Danish Sakhalin. Denmark was maybe not so defeated after all.

The Far East, Sakhalin Island, Japan to the south and Russia to the east.

However, before Denmark could prepare its army the German states made an defensive alliance. Denmark then sailed to Africa. On the 30th of may 1855 Denmark declared war upon Oman. While half of the Danish army was in Africa the Oman irregulars attacked Copenhagen. They were quickly taken out by the “Danske Heeren”.

On August the 26th 1857 Russia won the Cimmerian war. The UK were however having great repel problems in India. Shimla and Panjap repelled and became free.

On the 22nd of July 1858 the invaders in Oman met up with defenders and won the battle. Some survived but were destroyed by the “Kavalleridivision”. Oman was annexed. Besides the island of Zanzibar.

But on the 3rd of January 1859 Mecklenburg and Prussia declared war upon Denmark.

 

[olvirki]

The war​

The young men of Denmark were once again mobilized and the “Danske Heeren” was sent to Flensburg mean while the 2/3 of the invading force was shipped home. “Danske Heeren” met up with the invading force where they were trying to capture the forts. The Danes attacked and routed the enemy force.

The navy once again blockaded the sea between Copenhagen and Prussia. They could even rest without fear because the enemy only had clipper transports, no warships.

Meanwhile “Danske Heeren” headed south to Holstein the newly arrived invasion force attacked the capital of Mecklenburg from the sea. They had already left when the Prussians had arrived. In July the young men arrived at the front where a battle took place between the Danish and German army.

As the war progressed it seemed that the Prussian Army had little interest in large battles against a well dug in foe protected by forts as well. They were not interested in a white peace as well so some troops were shipped to Prussia’s colonies, the pacific.

Prussia got the message and proposed a white peace. But before however, Denmark had taken some trading posts from Prussia. Mecklenburg offered a interesting proposal shortly after that, giving North-Holstein to Denmark but Denmark refused. She would gain prestige if she would accept the peace deal but she refused. Frederick decided, along with the parliament to take over Holstein and make Mecklenburg a puppet. They understandably refused but after the destruction of their army they had no choice. The Danes of Holstein and Denmark celebrated and Frederick’s brother was crowned as king of Mecklenburg.

 

[olvirki]

1861-1870​

In the first year of the decade Denmark held series of meeting with the Prussian government, raised the relation from icecold to quite warm. The railroad network was expanded a bit more.

The Germans in Holstein revolted but were defeaded swiftly by the Danish.

However the Slevic question kept on. Denmark declered once again that Slevic was a part of Denmark on the 16th of January 1863.

On February the 9th 1863 Austria went to war over Slevic. Denmark sended its navy to the mediteratian to stop the transport of soldiers from Austria to Denmark. This operation was succesfull.


Peter Sörensen, the Danish admiral

Over a year after the war began a naval agagment took place and the conclution Danish victory. The Austrian navy was very weak though. After that defeat Austria offered a withe peace to Denmark that was accapted.

Only core Denmark had railroads and they were outdated. Germany and the Unided Kingom were upgrating to iron railroads from early railroads. So Denmark began to began to upgrate its railroad network during the era of peace. From 1864 to the 13th of may 1865.

However, on the 13th of may 1865 Prussia went to war over Slevic once more.

This was seen as the final clash between Denmark and Germany.

Denmark had the usual defence plan, protect Denmark by sea, mobalize the young men of Denmark and gather them at the border. The diffrence was that Meclenburg was asked to stay out of the war. Prussia was therefor forced to attack through Hannover that was also at war with Denmark.

This war was as idle as the previus wars. Prussia never engaged the Danish dug in force.
Denmark however took over some Prussian claimes in Mid-Africa. On february the 11th 1867 a white peace was signed. Denmark had once again defended Slevic and Holstein.

Many were puzzled by these actions.They declered war, but fought a idle war. Never made any real attempt to attack and just signed a white peace. It was partly explained by the fact that they waged war against Austria late that year.

During and after that war the german minors formed the South and North Federation. Controlled by Austria and Prussia.

 

[olvirki]

1871-1880​

After the war Denmark again started to rais relation with Prussia. She wanted to end these wars once and for all even though she had a good chanse of winning. Prussia however formed on the 29th of December 1871 Germany along with the North German Federation.
(No Prussia, you are suposed to give me something nice on my birthday).

Denmark expanded Prussian former claimes in Mid-Africa and gained a colany there. The next years were spent iproving Denmarks railroad network and the relation towards Germany finally warmed up. Germany even gurantied Denmarks intependence.

After few years of peace a colonial disbute began between Denmark and the weakend Sardina Piermont. Denmark declered war and one year late Sardine Piermont gave up half of Sardina Island and the colonial claimes in North-East africa.

Denmark began to upgrate its navy by buildind one monitor and one ironglad. Denmarks navy decided to go with brown watarschools.

 

[olvirki]

1881-1890​

These years were peacefull for Denmark. She repaid the depht from the naval construction, expanded factories, builded factories increased relation with other powers. She was though far behind in railroads.

Germany had huge colanies in Africa, had beaten The Unided Kingdom in South-Africa, had blockaded any expandions there, had colanies in West-Africa and ruled Mid-Africa. The Unided Kingdom had taken over some of the French colanies, colaniesed and annexed both Sokoto and Egypt by 1885.

By the mid decade Denmark helt 10 000 000 peole within her. Around half of them were Danes.

In 1886 Denmark began the construction of the modern battleship Christian IX and the crusier Frederick VIII. The man-o-wars were however sent to the colanies.

The vessel Christian IX​

In february 1887 it Japan, a civilized nation, waged war against Korea. They were quite thankfull to Denmark for helping in theyr moderanation.

In 1889 Christian IX became the best warship in the whole world when the battleship Napoelon I sank in engagment with the Unided Kingdom.

 

[olvirki]

1891-1899​

During this decade Denmark did little other than becoming more powerfull. Her navy did no longer have the most powerfull ship in the world since the Unided Kingdom had constructed 11 simuler ships by late 1891. Denmark saw the increasing need for a larger navy and more ships were constructed.

By 1896 Denmark started to upgrate its railroad network at last. Denmark was considered one of 6 most powerfull nation on earth after the first chapter of the 1890s industrial plan.

Denmark was very advansed but in 1896 they invented the first tank in history. They had not been mass protuced yet when Denmark invated Siam on the 21st of september 1896. But, then again, they hardly would have made any diffrence in the forests of Siam.

But Christian the IX however died 3 days later and his son, Frederick, war crowned as Frederick the IX, king of Denmark.

Frederick the IX, King of Demark

However, due to increasing demand of the Icelandic people to become intependend, Christian made his first daughter the Queen of Iceland. She married had Icelander Sigurður and he became the prince of Iceland. As for Iceland it became a puppet.

Alexandra the I of Iceland

The war with Siam lasted to the end of 1899. It was easely won but only few days after the annaxation of Siam Portugal declered war upon Denmark. Germany backed Denmark up and the war between Denmark and Germany on one hand and Portugal on the other began.

 

[olvirki]

The great African war​

Everyone were quite supriced over the declaration of war against Denmark. Denmark was after all protected by Germany, the greates power in the world and Denmark was quite powerfull her self.

Portugal had however a great deal of troops in Africa and they quicly outnumbered the Danes and the Germans had almost no troops in Africa.

A danish squat

The Danes launched an assault into the Portgals coast. They were quite successfull to begin with. On the same time Portugal launched an offensive into Mid-Africa. The Danes were easelly handled as well and even though Denmark trained 20 000 natives in Siam and sended them to Africa the forces of Portugal defeated the Danish general and started occuping Danish Africa.

Even though Denmark had denied a white peace she offered one in late 1900. Portugal accepted. It looked like Portugal got cold feet. She probably had hoped that Germany would not join the war and was afraid that Germany would be to much for her when Germany would attack in full force.

 

[olvirki]

1901-1910​

The first years were spent paying of the war debt and crushing the rebellions in Siam. After the deafet of the Danish army in the previus war it was desided to enlarge it. Adding many divisions.

It looked as the army would be needed. Germany, Austria and The Ottoman empire had formed an allinse. They were called the central powers. Powers like France, The Unided Kingdom and Russia had not made any allience for protection against these powers. However, Austria and Hungary, two intependend countries fought a war against Russia, Germany and The Ottoman empire were neutral however in that conflict.

The leaders of the Central powers

In the year 1904 Denmarks population passed the 20 000 000 mark. Thanks to advanses in medicants and millitary victories the population of Denmark and multiplied by the factor of 10 since 1836.

The debt from the militariation of Denmark was payed by 1904 but then the industrialization of Denmark kept on. She started to modernice her railroad network. Denmark was lagging behind in the powerplay. Even though her army had been strengthen, her industry was laggin behind the majors powers. The nation of Portugal was even considered a more powerfull nation than Denmark.

In July 1905 the long war between Russia on one hand and Austria and Hungary on the other hand was over. It was a status quoe. This long war had strengthen the relation between Hungary and Austria, the former enemies.

In 1907 a remarkable event happpend. But one must understand the back story first. After the Napolonic wars Denmark had risen to new higths. Had for a while the best battleship in the world and was overall a true empire. France had however declined for a while. France reappeared as a empire shortly after the Napolonic wars but declined later. They even suffered a defeat against the Unieded Kingdom.

On June the 11th 1907 a repel group took control over a part of a French colany and joined the groving power of Denmark due to the decline of France.

The long industrial plan had did not succeed until the last three years of the 1st decade of the 20th century. By the end of the century Denmark had reached the 5th place in industry and was considered strongest of “the latter three”, France, Spain and Denmark. But Russia, Britain, the U.S. and Germany were quite safe in their place in the world. However, Portugal stood in 5th place and was on not safe from Denmark.

 

[olvirki]

1911-1916​

February the 27th, 1911, a Danish noble man found a oil well in Danish Oman. He was the younger son of count and was there for not to inherit his falmily land. Due to that and the fact that the nobality had been mostly stribbed of their rights he ventured into Africa. After 13 years of hunting elafants he started hunting oil wells and found one that day.
“Den Danske Oilekombany” was founded and is still selling oil.

Later that year the the Danish government decided, due to advanses in industry, to move the focus from heavy industry such as steel factories, to aotomobiles and telophones. Further more the navy was reformed. The old colonial navy destroyed but the construction of sumbarines started.

In 1912 were the tanks first interduced to the Danish army, even though they were invented some 13 years earlier by a Danish scientist and in mid 1914 were 2 sumbarnies set to sea. The SS. Jesper and the SS. Jorgen.

The Danish submarine Jorgen

During this era the great powers of the world were gatherd in several power blocks. To the south Germany and Austria formed the “Germanic Allience”. To the east was Russia, allied with Hungary and Grece. The Unided Kingdom fougth a grim war against the secondary power France. Usa stood idle in the west, quite angry at Denmark for not selling the Danish West-Indies.In the Iberian peninsula were the great powers Spain and Denmark old enemy, Portugal. North of Germany the reborn Denmark was. And finally in the far east the reformed empire Japan ruled.

 

[olvirki]

The Ere of War​

In January 1916 Denmark abandoned the peaceful policy of the last few decades and declared war on the oil rich country Abu Dhabi. She was quicly defeated and George, the kings brother, was made the king of Abu Dhabi but 2/3 of her was ceded to Denmark.

But the ere of war was not over. On the 23rd of March 1916 Denmark declered war on her old nemesis, Portugal. Over 30 000 troops were shiped to Northren-Portugal. There they captured the city of Coimbra. There they repelled any native defence forces. When reenforcments had arrived they headed north along the coast. When an enemy army went north along the mountains They attempted to capture the enemy army but in the attempt lost a whole regiment. Portugal turned the tide and forced the countries into a 3 year long stalemate. Both sides over 100 000 troops.

The battle over Portugal

But where the army failed the navy succeded. The Danish navy defeated his nemisis and held a contius blockade during the war. And in early 1919 it was strengthen by the Destroyer-class Dreadnought DN. Bjorn.

However, one day a battle began in mid Portugal between 50 000 Danes and 30 000 Portuguese. It raged on but it seemed it would be the down fall of the Danish invaders. Denmark sended more men into it but that allowed the defenders to capture Coimbra and break the front line. The Danes however won the battle and headed south to the capital. The small defence force was defeated and the Danes managed to capture the capital after 3 years of fighting.

Peace was arranged and Denmark gained some land along the Northren and Southren coast.

However, on the 16th of August 1919 was Denmark forced into an allience with Russia, Hungary and Grece when Italy declered war upon Denmark. Italy had been united by the Pope some years back and Denmark held a part of her core territory, Northren Sicaly.

The navy was send from Portugal and it met up with a lightly guarded transport fleet on the 10th of September 1919. The Danish navy started to blockade the port that the Italian navy was in. On the 26th of September 1919 the Italian navy, one commerance raider, one man o'war and 2 steamer transport attampted to break the siege and transport a invation force but were quicly defeated.

In the west however, Russia seemed to be loosing the war she had started against China, manly because of Japan.

Denmark sended more troops to Sicaly and began to attack the Italian forces there.

However, on the 28th of April 1920, Spain, Austria and France joined the war against Denmark, Russia, Hungary and Grece. The Unided kingdom however took the side of the Eastren allience and kept the long war against France on.

World war one had began.

 

[olvirki]

World War One​

In the first world war the westren allience, France, Spain, Italy, Austria, China and Japan fougth a gret war against the Eastern allience, Russia, Hungary, Denmark, Greece and the United kingdom.

On the first days of the war the Danish navy fought many battles with the compined navy of France and Italy but eventully won and annililated the enemy.

However, on land, the Danes suffered humiliating defeats.

The Danish defence force at Sicialy, strengthen by a tank bridge from Denmark, had attampted to defeat the Italian force in the south. At first they did well but when the bombarding navy was forced to help in the great battle for the Mediterranean.

The battle for the Meditierranean

At the same time the Spanish army took over the ligthly protected Danish Portugal. In eastern Eurasia Chinese and Japanese forces had occupied large parts of eastern Russia and on the Hungarian-Austrian front chanced little.

The next few months fould have little effect on the war. Denmark sended 20 000 troops to Sicialy stood idle since neither force attacked.

Denmark lost many ships in two more naval engagement but inflicted more casualities. Her once proud navy had only five ships left. One commerence raider, one Dreadnought, two submarines and one monitor. The navy was unable to transport any troops to the front, any renforcment were to be trained there.

In the light of past events it is understandable that the Danish king, at his death in christmas 1920, gave full power to the parlement. The era of ruling Kings in Denmark was over.

 

[olvirki]

14.

 

[olvirki]

15.

That should be good.

 

[AllmyJames]

This could be interesting. I'll follow along. Denmark isn't often played in the original Victoria, so I'll be curious to see how you do. Watch out for those Prussians!

I've only ever used Photobucket or Imageshack to upload images, so that's all I can suggest, I'm afraid.

 

[olvirki]

I have couple of chapters ready and they will be posted soon. Thanks for the reply. And don't worry about the Prussians I can take care of them.

 

[Serek000]

I always liked playing Denmark, I'm a navy guy in Vicky, and Denmark lends itself well to that. Good luck, especially with colonizing, if you choose to go that route. I always like to keep an eye on the Baltic, too, in case Russia/Prussia are embroiled in a war and there's room to sweep in and snag something. I'm curious to see where this will be going.

 

[AllmyJames]

Well done against Prussia! Any chance of forming Scandanavia? I remember that being rather difficult in V1.