Denmark (Triple Entente vs. Central Powers Map Game)

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Kingdom of Denmark Kongeriget Danmark (Danish) Timeline: Triple Entente vs. Central Powers (Map Game) OTL equivalent: Denmark
Coat of arms
Motto:  "Guds hjælp, Folkets kærlighed, Danmarks styrke" "God's Help, the People's Love, Denmark's Strength"
Anthem:  "Der er et yndigt land" "There is a lovely land" Royal anthem:  "Kong Christian stod ved højen mast" "King Christian stood by the lofty mast"
Dark green: Greenland, the Faroe Islands (circled), and Denmark.
Capital		Copenhagen
Official languages		Danish
Regional languages		Faroese, Greenlandic, Icelandic, German
Demonym		Danish Dane
Government		Unitary parliamentary Constitutional monarchy
-	Monarch	Frederick VIII
-	Prime Minister
Legislature		Folketing
Area
-	Total	42,915.7 km2  16,570 sq mi
Population
-	1900 estimate	2,432,000
Currency		Danish krone

Denmark (Danish: Danmark), officially the Kingdom of Denmark (Danish: Kongeriget Danmark), is a sovereign state in Northern Europe, located south-west of Sweden, south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. The Kingdom has two autonomous constituent countries in the north Atlantic Ocean; the Faroe Islands and Greenland. The Kingdom of Denmark is a unitary constitutional monarchy with Christian IX as reigning monarch. The government is organised into a parliamentary democracy, which replaced the system of absolute monarchy in 1660 with the Constitution of Denmark, which was signed on 5 June 1849.

Denmark consists of the peninsula of Jutland, and the Danish archipelago of 407 islands, characterized by flat lands and sandy coasts, containing minimal elevation. Denmark has a temperate climate characterized by mild winters and cool summers. The national language, Danish, is spoken by most Danish citizens, and is closely related to Swedish and Norwegian.

History

Main Article: History of Denmark

Modern History

Den Grundlovsgivende Rigsforsamling – The Constitutional Assembly of the Realm was assembled by King Frederick VII in 1848 to adopt the Constitution of Denmark.

During the 1830s Denmark's liberal and national movement gained momentum, and during the European Revolutions of 1848 Denmark peacefully became a constitutional monarchy on 5 June 1849. The Constitutional Act of Denmark, or Danmarks Riges Grundlov in Danish, were established as the main part of the Danish constitution, establishing a sovereign state in the form of a constitutional monarchy, with a representative parliamentary system. A bicameral parliament known as the Rigsdag was established over the nation, consisting of a upper and lower house; the Landsting and the Folketing respectively.

The main principle of the Constitution was to limit the monarch's power, with the creation of parliament distributing power to the Danish people. The constitution also secured civil rights, such as habeas corpus, private property rights, and freedom of speech. The structure of the Constitution was based on the separation of powers, creating three separate branches of government; the legislative, the executive, and the judicial branches.

8th Brigade's Attack at Dybbøl, 1864 by Vilhelm Jacob Rosenstand, 1894.

In 1864 Denmark was invaded by the Kingdom of Prussia and the Austrian Empire, in the Second Schleswig War. Lasting from 1 February to 30 October, the war ended in the Treaty of Vienna, in which Denmark was forced to cede the provinces of Schleswig and Holstein. Prussia would administer Schleswig, while Austria would administer Holstein, but disputes over the administration of the two provinces would eventually lead to the Austro-Prussian War in 1866.

Like the First Schleswig War of 1848 to 1851, the Second Schleswig War was fought for control of the duchies of Holstein and Lauenburg, due to succession disputes arising from the death of the Danish king without an heir acceptable to the German Confederation. Decisive controversy arose due to the passing of the November Constitution, which integrated the Duchy of Schleswig into the Danish kingdom in violation of the London Protocol.

Reign of Christian IX

With the dawn of the twentieth century the nation of Denmark turned its attention toward modernizing the military, focusing land forces toward putting up an adequate defense against possible invasion, and developing a strong navy for defending Danish territories and possessions. In between two strong military powers in the North Sea; the United Kingdom and Germany, Denmark signed a non aggression pact with both nations to ensure its sovereignty in both nation's rapid military expansion. Also that year the Rigsdagen passed an act organizing the nation's military, creating the Forsvaret, Danish Defense, as a unified armed forces for the nation of Denmark and its possessions. A reserve system was also formed, known as as the Hjemmeværnet, or Home Guard, a national guard aspect of the Danish military intended to raise manpower and defend Danish territory during a full scale invasion.

As part of the military reforms, a total of 200,000 men from across the Danish empire would be trained for active service or as a reserve force over the next decade. Of that force, 50,000 men began immediate training to establish five divisions stationed in the south of the nation, intending to defend Jutland from attack. An additional 5,000 man division was raised from the Home Guard to defend Copenhagen and Sjaelland.

In 1901 Denmark signed a research agreement with the nations of Italy and Germany to develop a modern navy capable of defending Denmark and each other in case of attack. This pact sought to work together in development of new ships and weapons, and would eventually begin conducting joint military drills to mutually grow each nation's forces and technology. As part of this naval development and modernization, the nation of Denmark also created or expanded a number of shipyards around the nation, to facilitate the production or repair of warships quickly and easily. Over the next few years shipyards in Aalborg, Svendborg, two in Copenhagen, two in Odense, and Esbjerg would be tasked with creating the nation's naval assets.

Domestically the nation began improving and expanding railroad transportation to facilitate faster movement of goods and people. A special rail was laid across Jutland, to allow for fast mobilization to the south of the country if needed. An improved system was created to connect Zeeland and Jutland, known collectively as the Storebæltsfærgerne, or Great Belt ferries.

Plans were created for a defensive structure similar to the Dannevirke on our new southern border, envisioned with modern artillery emplacements and defenses, learning from our experiences in previous wars with Prussia and Austria. Beginning construction in 1902, newly created railroad lines streamlined production, which continued for the next few years. A number of artillery emplacements were created in the south to guard major fortifications, using indirect fire artillery, and the military began testing a prototype for railroad artillery, noticing that twelve-inch guns being shipped to the south could be mobilized faster if installed into railroad cars directly.

The nation also turned its attention toward developing industry and exploiting resources in Danish territories and colonial possessions. In Greenland industry in the town of Ivittuut was increased, to begin large-scale extraction of cryolite, an important agent in modern aluminum extraction. Since Ivittuut was one of the only sites in the world in which cryolite could be extracted, the Danish government sought to exploit the resource for high profits in Europe and elsewhere. A large dock was constructed to facilitate shipments of ore from Greenland, increasing exports to Denmark.

Danish possessions also began organizing forces to defend themselves and fight alongside Danish soldiers if needed. A special volunteer brigade of the Home Guard was established on Greenland, seeking 1,000 men to serve in a local force, and a small training camp was established near Nuuk. A second brigade was formed in the Faroe Islands, with a training camp being established in Tórshavn, while in Iceland two brigades were formed. Together this force was designated as the Danish Colonial Regiment of the Home Guard, with its headquarters in Reykjavík. Small shipyards began construction in Reykjavík and Tórshavn, with the intention of forming areas capable of constructing small ships for colonial use.

In 1906 an expedition was sent to Adventtoppen in Svalbard to establish mining operations on the island. A coal mine was established, and a small dock began production to ship coal to Denmark. Within the next several months, Denmark would officially purchase Svalbard, along with the island of Jan Mayen, from the Sweden and Norway. The official acquisition of the island of Svalbard allowed it to grow exponentially. The Danish colony in Adventtoppen became known as Kortårby, and grew to become a major mining town and port in the far north, growing from the mining industry and from Arctic tourism, becoming a common base for Arctic exploration. Multiple mines would be established across the island, with the main port at Kortårby shipping coal and other resources back to Denmark for use in the nation’s factories and manufacturers. That year an act was passed organizing Danish possessions into administrative regions, with both Svalbard and Jan Mayen being organized into the Ishavet Territories, with an administrative center established at Kortårby.

Reign of Frederick VIII

On 29 January 1906, Christian IX died peacefully of old age at the age of eighty-seven at the Amalienborg Palace in Copenhagen after a reign of forty-two years and seventy-five days. After lying in state at the chapel at Christiansborg Palace, he was interred beside Queen Louise in Christian IX's Chapel in Roskilde Cathedral, the traditional burial site for Danish monarchs since the 15th century. He was succeeded as king by his eldest son, Frederick, who ascended the throne as King Frederick VIII. Frederick was sixty-two years old at the time and had been Crown Prince for forty-three years.

In many ways Frederick VIII was a liberal ruler who was much more favorable to the new parliamentarian system than his father had been. Because of his very late accession to the throne he had only a few years to show his ability and he was weakened by ill health. Frederick VII largely continued the military reforms that his father had began, expanding and training the military, and organizing Danish forces. That year the union between Sweden and Norway broke up, and Frederick VIII's brother ascended to the throne of Norway as Haakon VII. Frederick immediately established positive relations with both Norway and Sweden, leading to years of prosperous trade and cooperation.

In 1907 Frederick VIII founded the Nordsøenpagt, or North Sea Pact, as a defensive alliance specializing in naval research and development between Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. It was under Frederick VIII that the Royal Danish Navy established a modern system for organization and command, championed by Defence Minister Jens Christian Christensen. Danish commander Henri Konow would be promoted to admiral and supervisor of the Danish navy, broken into two main fleets; the Storflåde (Grand Fleet), stationed in Copenhagen, and the Atlanterflade (Atlantic Fleet), stationed in Reykjavik.

The pact would launch its largest naval exercise to date the following year, launching several drills across the North Sea. Also that year Germany and the United Kingdom would be invited to join the pact as observers. Konow would personally travel to Germany to invite the German Secretary of State of the German Imperial Naval Office, Alfred von Tirpitz, to attend the event, as part of our previously established naval research pact, almost a decade into fruition.

As summer began the North Sea Pact Naval Exercise began, with Konow serving as supervisor of the event. The Danish delegation included King Frederick VIII, Vice Admiral Georg Carl Amdrup, commander Carl Hammerich, and several other commanders and officers. The Norwegian delegation featured King Haakon VII, on his first official foreign trip since his ascension as king, and was led by Chief of the Admiral Staff Alfred Berglund. Also present or participating in the drill from Norway was Rear Admiral Urban Jacob Rasmus Børresen, Minister of Defence Karl Friedrich Griffin Dawes, and fleet commanders Jakob von der Lippe, Edgar Otto, and Christian Sparre, who represented the Council of State Division in Stockholm. The feature of the event would be the HDMS Stjernebillede, a marvel of naval engineering as the sole dreadnought ship present at the drill. The event was also the unveiling of newly created Norwegian and Swedish ships designed in Denmark.

Military

Navy

The Royal Danish Navy (RDN), officially Kongelige Danske Marine in Danish, but more generally known as Søværnet, is the sea-based branch of the Danish Forsvaret. The RDN is mainly responsible for maritime defense and maintaining the sovereignty of Danish waters, and since the early twentieth century has expanded to be a major force in the North and Baltic Sea. Danish Navy ships carry the prefix KDM (Kongelige Danske Marine) in Danish, but this is translated to HDMS (His/Her Danish Majesty's Ship) in English. Individual ships are also referenced by number, with each ship having an individual code based on ship type.

Shipyards

Major

• Aalborg
• Svendborg
• Copenhagen (x2)
• Odense (x2)
• Esbjerg

Minor

• Reykjavík
• Tórshavn

Organization

As of 1908 the Danish Royal Navy has been divided into two main fleets; the Storflåde (Grand Fleet), stationed in Copenhagen, and the Atlanterflade (Atlantic Fleet), stationed in Reykjavik. Each fleet is then divided into two task forces, which each consist of several squadrons. The navy is led by a head admiral, who answers directly to the Defense Minister, the head minister of all of Denmark's armed forces.

Storflåde (Grand Fleet) - Copenhagen Task Force One North Sea Squadron - Frederikshavn HDMS Thyra HDMS Stjernebillede HDMS Slien HDMS Dannebrog HDMS Runesten HDMS Møn HDMS Grundlov HDMS Rigsdagen 3rd Undervandsbåd Eskadron (3rd Submarine Squadron) HDMS Logi HDMS Fornjótr HDMS Eldir HDMS Fimafeng HDMS Ægir 1st Destroyer Squadron - Copenhagen HDMS Ragnarök HDMS Bornholm HDMS Surtr HDMS Vafþrúðnismál HDMS Gamleborg 3rd Destroyer Squadron HDMS Jörmungandr HDMS Hammershus HDMS Copenhagen HDMS Aarhus HDMS Odense Task Force Two Baltic Sea Squadron - Korsør HDMS Danevirke HDMS Østersøen HDMS Sif HDMS Kongeloven HDMS Håndfæstning 2nd Destroyer Squadron HDMS Lilleborg HDMS Bergbúa HDMS Götterdämmerung HDMS Gjallarhorn HDMS Yggdrasil 5th Destroyer Squadron HDMS Randers HDMS Kolding HDMS Horsens HDMS Reykjavík HDMS Kópavogur 4th Undervandsbåd Eskadron (4th Submarine Squadron) HDMS Hymir HDMS Nidavellir HDMS Reidmar HDMS Fafner HDMS Odder HDMS Regin 6th Destroyer Squadron HDMS Hafnarfjörður HDMS Akureyri HDMS Keflavík HDMS Garðabær HDMS Mosfellsbær

Atlanterflade (Atlantic Fleet) - Reykjavik Task Force Three Island Eskadron (Iceland Squadron) - Reykjavik HDMS Volmerslaget HDMS Orlogsflag HDMS Lolland HDMS Funen HDMS Glavendrupstenen HDMS Hedeby-stenene HDMS Hærulfstenen Grønland Eskadron (Greenland Squadron) - Nuuk HDMS Jellingstenene HDMS Rydsgårdstenen Arktis Eskadron (Arctic Squadron) - Tórshavn HDMS Snoldelevstenen HDMS Falster 1st Undervandsbåd Eskadron (1st Submarine Squadron) - Kópavogur HDMS Unnr HDMS Kólga HDMS Hrönn HDMS Himinglæva HDMS Hefring HDMS Dúfa 4th Destroyer Eskadron (4th Destroyer Squadron) - HDMS Aalborg HDMS Frederiksberg, Esbjerg, Gentofte, and Gladsaxe Task Force Four Vestindien Eskadron (West Indies Squadron) - Amalienborg HDMS Sjælland, Jylland, and Fyn 2nd Undervandsbåd Eskadron (2nd Submarine Squadron) - Christiansted HDMS Bylgja HDMS Blóðughadda HDMS Bára HDMS Rán HDMS Kári .

Ship Composition

#	Name	Laid Down	Launched	Commissioned	Class	Status
Dreadnought Battleships
B007	Stjernebillede	1903	1904	1904	Stjernebillede-class	Active Service
B008	Thyra	1908	1909	1910	Thyra-class	Active Service
B009	Danevirke	1909	1910	1911	Thyra-class	Active Service
B010	Slien	1910	1911	1912	Thyra-class	Active Service
Battlecruisers
B011	Surtr	1912	1913	1914	Surtr-class	Active Service
B012	Eldjötnar	1912	1913	1914	Surtr-class	Active Service
Pre-dreadnought Battleships
B001	Dannebrog	1900	1903	1903	Dannebrog-class	Active Service
B002	Volmerslaget	1901	1904	1904	Dannebrog-class	Active Service
B003	Orlogsflag	1901	1904	1904	Dannebrog-class	Active Service
B004	Korstog	1901	1904	1904	Dannebrog-class	Sold to Greece (1911)
B005	Østersøen	1901	1904	1904	Dannebrog-class	Active Service
B006	Sif	1901	1904	1904	Wilhelm-class	Active Service
Destroyers
D001	Ragnarök	1901	1902	1902	Ragnarök-class	Active Service
D002	Bornholm	1901	1902	1902	Ragnarök-class	Active Service
D003	Surtr	1901	1902	1902	Ragnarök-class	Active Service
D004	Vafþrúðnismál	1901	1902	1902	Ragnarök-class	Active Service
D005	Gamleborg	1901	1902	1902	Ragnarök-class	Active Service
D006	Lilleborg	1901	1902	1902	Ragnarök-class	Active Service
D007	Bergbúa	1901	1902	1902	Ragnarök-class	Active Service
D008	Götterdämmerung	1901	1902	1902	Ragnarök-class	Active Service
D009	Gjallarhorn	1901	1902	1902	Ragnarök-class	Active Service
D010	Yggdrasil	1901	1902	1902	Ragnarök-class	Active Service
D011	Jörmungandr	1901	1902	1902	Ragnarök-class	Active Service
D012	Hammershus	1901	1902	1902	Ragnarök-class	Active Service
D013	Copenhagen	1906	1907	1907	Copenhagen-class	Active Service
D014	Aarhus	1906	1907	1907	Copenhagen-class	Active Service
D015	Odense	1906	1907	1907	Copenhagen-class	Active Service
D016	Aalborg	1906	1907	1907	Copenhagen-class	Active Service
D017	Frederiksberg	1907	1908	1908	Copenhagen-class	Active Service
D018	Esbjerg	1907	1908	1908	Copenhagen-class	Active Service
D019	Gentofte	1907	1908	1908	Copenhagen-class	Active Service
D020	Gladsaxe	1907	1908	1908	Copenhagen-class	Active Service
D021	Randers	1907	1908	1908	Copenhagen-class	Active Service
D022	Kolding	1907	1908	1908	Copenhagen-class	Active Service
D023	Horsens	1907	1908	1908	Copenhagen-class	Active Service
D024	Reykjavík	1915	1916	1916	Reykjavík-class	Active Service
D025	Kópavogur	1915	1916	1916	Reykjavík-class	Active Service
D026	Hafnarfjörður	1915	1916	1916	Reykjavík-class	Active Service
D027	Akureyri	1915	1916	1916	Reykjavík-class	Active Service
D028	Keflavík	1915	1916	1916	Reykjavík-class	Active Service
D029	Garðabær	1915	1916	1916	Reykjavík-class	Active Service
D030	Mosfellsbær	1915	1916	1916	Reykjavík-class	Active Service
Light Cruisers
C007	Sjælland	1904	1905	1905	Sjælland-class	Active Service
C008	Jylland	1904	1905	1905	Sjælland-class	Active Service
C009	Fyn	1904	1905	1905	Sjælland-class	Active Service
C010	Lolland	1904	1905	1905	Sjælland-class	Active Service
C011	Funen	1904	1905	1905	Sjælland-class	Active Service
C012	Falster	1904	1905	1905	Sjælland-class	Active Service
C013	Møn	1904	1905	1905	Sjælland-class	Active Service
C014	Grundlov	1906	1907	1907	Grundlov-class	Active Service
C015	Rigsdagen	1906	1907	1907	Grundlov-class	Active Service
C016	Kongeloven	1906	1907	1907	Grundlov-class	Active Service
C017	Håndfæstning	1906	1907	1907	Grundlov-class	Active Service
C018	Runesten	1908	1909	1909	Runesten-class	Active Service
C019	Glavendrupstenen	1908	1909	1909	Runesten-class	Active Service
C020	Hedeby-stenene	1908	1909	1909	Runesten-class	Active Service
C021	Hærulfstenen	1908	1909	1909	Runesten-class	Active Service
C022	Jellingstenene	1908	1909	1909	Runesten-class	Active Service
C023	Rydsgårdstenen	1908	1909	1909	Runesten-class	Active Service
C024	Snoldelevstenen	1909	1910	1910	Runesten-class	Active Service
Protected Cruisers
C001	Viking	1901	1902	1903	Viking-class	Sold to Greece (1911)
C002	Væringjar	1901	1902	1903	Viking-class	Sold to Greece (1911)
C003	Snaefell	1902	1903	1903	Viking-class	Sold to Norway (1911)
C004	Jelling	1902	1903	1903	Viking-class	Sold to Norway (1911)
C005	Gorm	1902	1903	1903	Viking-class	Sold to Norway (1911)
C006	Erobring	1902	1903	1903	Viking-class	Sold to Norway (1911)
Submarines
U001	Ægir	1903	1904	1904	Ægir-class	Active Service
U002	Fimafeng	1903	1904	1904	Ægir-class	Active Service
U003	Eldir	1903	1904	1904	Ægir-class	Active Service
U004	Fornjótr	1903	1904	1904	Ægir-class	Active Service
U005	Logi	1903	1904	1904	Ægir-class	Active Service
U006	Kári	1903	1904	1904	Ægir-class	Active Service
U007	Rán	1903	1904	1904	Ægir-class	Active Service
U008	Bára	1903	1904	1904	Ægir-class	Active Service
U009	Blóðughadda	1903	1904	1904	Ægir-class	Active Service
U010	Bylgja	1905	1906	1906	Ægir-class	Active Service
U011	Dúfa	1905	1906	1906	Ægir-class	Active Service
U012	Hefring	1905	1906	1906	Ægir-class	Active Service
U012	Himinglæva	1905	1906	1906	Ægir-class	Active Service
U013	Hrönn	1905	1906	1906	Ægir-class	Active Service
U014	Kólga	1905	1906	1906	Ægir-class	Active Service
U015	Unnr	1905	1906	1906	Ægir-class	Active Service
U016	Hymir	1909	1910	1910	Ægir-class	Active Service
U017	Hroðr	1909	1910	1910	Ægir-class	Sold to Greece (1912)
U018	Gerðr	1909	1910	1910	Ægir-class	Sold to Greece (1912)
U019	Nidavellir	1912	1913	1913	Nidavellir-class	Active Service
U020	Reidmar	1912	1913	1913	Nidavellir-class	Active Service
U021	Fafner	1912	1913	1913	Nidavellir-class	Active Service
U022	Odder	1912	1913	1913	Nidavellir-class	Active Service
U023	Regin	1912	1913	1913	Nidavellir-class	Active Service
	Andvari				Nidavellir-class
	Andvaranaut				Nidavellir-class
	Lyngheidr				Nidavellir-class
	Lofnheidr				Nidavellir-class

A.^^^^^Battleships B004 through B008 constructed by Germany.

B.^^^^^^^^Destroyers D005 through D012 constructed by Germany.

C.^^Cruisers C001 through C002 constructed by Italy.

Government

The Kingdom of Denmark is a constitutional monarchy, in which King Frederick VIII is the head of state. The monarch officially retains executive power and presides over the Council of State.

Territory

Name	Capital	Type of entity	Population (1900)	Total Area (km²)
Denmark	Copenhagen	Entire Country	2,432,000	42,915.7
1 Copenhagen Municipality	(Part of) Copenhagen	Municipality
2 Frederiksberg Municipality	Frederiksberg	Municipality
3 Copenhagen County	Glostrup	County
4 Frederiksborg County	Hillerød	County
5 Roskilde County	Roskilde	County
6 West Zealand County	Sorø	County
7 Storstrøm County	Nykøbing	County
8 Funen County	Odense	County
9 South Jutland County	Aabenraa	County
10 Ribe County	Ribe	County
11 Vejle County	Vejle	County
12 Ringkjøbing County	Ringkøbing	County
13 Viborg County	Viborg	County
14 North Jutland County	Ålborg	County
15 Aarhus County	Århus	County
16 Bornholm	Rønne	Regional Municipality
Greenland	Nuuk	Entire territory	12,000	2,166,086
Kujalleq	Qaqortoq	Municipality
Qaasuitsup	Ilulissat	Municipality
Qeqqata	Sisimiut	Municipality
Sermersooq	Nuuk	Municipality
Ittoqqortoormiit	Ittoqqortoormiit	Municipality
Faroe Islands	Nuuk	Entire territory	15,230	1,399
Østerø	Fuglefjord	Sýsla		286.3
Norderøerne	Klaksvig	Sýsla		241.7
Sandø	Sandur	Sýsla		125
Strømø	Tórshavn	Sýsla		373
Suderø	Víkarbyrgi	Sýsla		163.7
Vågø	Midvåg	Sýsla		176
Iceland	Reykjavík	Entire territory	78,000	103,000
Höfuðborgarsvæði	Reykjavík	Region		1,062
Suðurnes	Keflavík	Region		829
Vesturland	Akranes	Region		9,554
Vestfirðir	Ísafjörður	Region		9,409
Norðurland vestra	Sauðárkrók	Region		12,737
Norðurland eystra	Akureyri	Region		21,968
Austurland	Egilsstaðir	Region		22,721
Suðurland	Selfoss	Region		24,526
Ishavet Territories	Kortårby	Entire territory	<250	61,399
Svalbard	Kortårby		<200	61,022
Jan Mayen			<50	377
Dansk Vestindien	Amalienborg	Entire territory	25,000	400
Sankt Thomas	Amalienborg			110
Sankt Jan				110
Sankt Croix	Christiansted			260