Schleswig
This article is about the region of Schleswig on the German/Danish border. For the city of the same name see : Schleswig (city). There is also Schleswig, Iowa in the United States of America. |
Schleswig prior to its partition (also encompassing Ribe as well as the Baltic islands of Fehmarn and Ærø, identified as 9a and 4b, respectively). |
The region of
Schleswig (former
English name:
Sleswick,
Danish:
Sønderjylland or
Slesvig,
Low German:
Sleswig,
North Frisian:
Slaswik or
Sleesweg) covers the area about 60 km north and 70 km south of the border between
Germany and
Denmark.
The area's traditional significance lies in the transfer of goods between the
North Sea and the
Baltic Sea, connecting the trade route through
Russia with the trade routes along
Rhine and the
Atlantic coast.
See also Kiel Canal.
Schleswig was a Danish
duchy that evolved in the 11-12th century. Feuds and marriage policies resulted in a close connection with the German Duchy of
Holstein by the 15th century. The latter was a
fief subordinated to the
Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation, while Schleswig remained a Danish fief. This caused several disputes between Germany and Denmark in the
19th century, when the ideas of the nation state won popular support (see
Lied der Deutschen). The title
Duke of Schleswig was adopted by the
kings of Denmark in
1460, and the area was a
fief under the Danish Crown until
1864.
In
1864, after the
Second War of Schleswig,
Schleswig-Holstein became a part of
Prussia.
Two
referenda held in
1920 resulted in the region being partitioned, with
Northern Schleswig joining Denmark, and
Central Schleswig voting to remain a part of Germany. In Southern Schleswig no referendum was held as the possible outcome was apparent. Nowadays the name Southern Schleswig is used for all of German Schleswig.
Nowadays, both parts cooperate as a
Euroregion.
*
Coat of arms of Schleswig*
Danevirke*
German Bight*
Jutland*
Hedeby*
History of Schleswig-Holstein*
North Frisian Islands*
Schleswig-Holstein Question*
Traditional districts of Denmark
