History

The country has probably been periodically inhabited for more than 120,000 years. The first certain proofs of human habitation date from around 12,500 BC. The stone age people among other things lived on oysters and the shells are still found in the so-called køkkenmøddinger (kitchen middens) a Danish expression which has passed into other languages.

The Danes attracted international attention in the Viking Age from the late 8^th century to the middle of the 11^th, but not only positively. They were skilful shipwrights with a love of adventure. They travelled far, for instance to the Mediterranean. The Vikings acted as merchants, but equally often as marauders and invasion forces. For a short time in the 11^th century, Denmark subjugated England. From the 14^th century, Denmark also ruled over Norway and parts of Sweden. At that time, Denmark stretched from Nordkapp to the Elbe. As a result of ill fortunes of war, arrogance and poor choice of allies, Denmark‘s territory and population were heavily reduced over the period until 1658.

Many wars have been fought with Sweden in particular, but in the 19 th century, it was the relationship with the neighbouring Germany to the south that led to wars. After the last major war, the Second Schleswig War in 1864, the Danish territory was reduced by a third when Schleswig and Holstein were ceded to Germany. This led to a movement in Denmark with the motto ‘What is lost externally shall be regained internally‘, which resulted in the cultivation of moorlands and the draining of bays and inlets for farming purposes. North-Schleswig returned to Denmark following a plebiscite in 1920.

During the Second World War, Denmark was occupied by Germany in 1940-1945. Forced by circumstances during the German ‘peaceful occupation‘, King Christian X and the Danish government led by the Social Democrat Thorvald Stauning chose to collaborate with the occupying power. In this way, they hoped to create the easiest conditions for the population. In 1943, Germany intensified its demands on the collaboration. This formally collapsed, but in connivance with the politicians, Danish civil servants continued the collaboration during the Heads of Departments Government. From 1943, the increasing popular resistance to the Germans created the basis for an underground movement. Denmark was the German-occupied country where the smallest number of Jews died: helped by, among others, the resistance movement, most of Denmark‘s Jewish population managed to escape to the neutral Sweden.

Originating in the chieftain rule of the Viking Age, the Danish constitution has been absolute monarchy, then enlightened absolutism 1660-1848. In 1848 the new King Frederik VII abolished absolutism and the following year a free constitution was codified. However, democracy did not fully unfold until 1901 with the provision that a government must not have a majority in parliament against it. Only once, in 1920, did the king try to defy this rule and assume the right to dismiss and appoint the government himself. Christian X‘s attempt failed and only contributed to cement cabinet responsibility.

Danish State Railways (DSB) IC3 type inter-city train on its way through the Danish landscape. The IC3 trains have received several design awards and also been sold abroad. Photo: Polfoto/René Strandbygaard.