The Schleswig Holstein War

1848 was a turbulent but momentous time in Europe. Within this context, the Duchies of Schleswig and Holstein were caught between the rising nationalism and desire for unification of the Prussian/German nation states and the traditional alliances with the Danish Kingdom. The Schleswig Holsteiners decided that allegiance with the German Federation, including possessing their own constitution, was the best way forward. They rebelled against the Danish and looked to the Prussians with their greater military prowess for help. In Denmark, as in other European countries, the call for a democratic constitution caused social disturbance, triggered initially by the February riots in Paris. The Danish monarchy, in crisis, both constitutionally and in terms of monarchical succession continued to lay claim on their southernmost duchies and sent their armed forces to destroy the Schleswig-Holstein insurgents. The author describes the battles and battlefields upon which this crisis was played out: from the first major action at Bov (9 April, 1848) to the last major battles of the war, at Isted (25 July 1850) and Missunde (12 September 1850), from the geomorphic landscape influencing battlefield strategy down to the description of a farmhouse where Prussian officers jumped out of windows to save themselves from the Danish.

Reprint of the original, first published in 1864.

Denmark, Prussia and Austria at war-2 volumes in one special edition Europe is familiar with wars which have ostensibly arisen from issues of succession among its monarchies. Most of these provided nothing less than a pretext for grasping advantages, and the Second Schleswig-Holstein War, fought in 1864 following the unclear succession of the Danish monarchy, can be seen as one of the several conflicts orchestrated by Prussia and Austria to establish themselves as dominant powers in Europe. This was not the first time the Schleswig and Holstein question had resulted in bloodshed. Originally affiliated to Denmark, the status of the duchies became more complicated, and the situation confrontational, as Denmark broke treaties in order to force integration. Outrage among the populations of the duchies escalated, since ethnic divisions had incrementally grown, making allegiances to one side or the other evident by trade, culture and language. Inevitably when the dialogue failed war was inevitable. Denmark was the underdog when it came to military might and proficiency, and the Battle of Dybbol resulted in Prussian victory. This in depth study of a lesser known European 'small war' was written by a journalist who was 'on the spot' throughout the conflict, and it benefits not only from an understanding of the causes of the war, but also from closely observed personal experience as events unfolded and escalated towards battle. Leonaur editions are newly typeset and are not facsimiles; each title is available in softcover and hardback with dustjacket; our hardbacks are cloth bound and feature gold foil lettering on their spines and fabric head and tail bands.

Reprint of the original, first published in 1864.

"Hardback edition produced in a strictly limited printing of 250 individually numbered and signed copies"--Added title page.

This book chronicles the final conflict over the now almost forgotten "Schleswig-Holstein Question", once a pivotal issue for the great powers of Europe. The campaign of Schleswig and Jutland was also the first of Otto von Bismarck's Wars of German Unification, which together created a united German Empire under Prussian leadership. The detailed story of this, the last of the "Cabinet Wars", is told here for the first time in English, compiled from numerous published and unpublished sources, including many contemporary and first hand accounts, as well as official reports. This is an invaluable resource for any student of the mid 19th Century. Key topics include: * The historical background to the conflict. * The political crisis of 1863, the intervention of the "German Parliament" and the build-up to war. * Full descriptions of all military and naval forces involved. * The first phase of the war - the defense and withdrawal from the Danewerke. * The siege and defense of the Dybbøl position. * The Allied invasion of Jutland, and the naval war including the Danish blockade of north Germany ports. * The First Armistice, the London Conference attempts at peace talks and their failure. *The final phase of the conflict, including notably the Prussian conquest of the island of Als. The book includes: * Comprehensive orders of battle for the various stages of the war. * Informative maps, many adapted from early sources. * Numerous illustrations and photographs * Many informative charts and diagrams. * Detailed analysis of contemporary and later sources.