In March 1848, the new Danish government wanted a radical break from the previous way the Unitary State had been governed. But the politicians in Slesvig and Holstein weren’t onboard. They reacted by breaking with Copenhagen, declaring their own government. War was inevitable.
131 A Beloved Buffoon
2026-04-10 | 28 min.
In 1848, Denmark faced uncertainty after king Christian VIII’s sudden death, just as political unrest started to spread across Europe. Would the inexperienced, and–frankly–incompetent, new king Frederik VII be able to handle the situation? Or would Denmark be swept up in the revolutionary chaos on the continent?
130 Hope Springs Eternal
2026-03-27 | 30 min.
During the Golden Age, pressure mounted for political reforms in Denmark. The absolute monarchy was threatened by liberalism and nationalism, and the king feared that the smallest political reforms would start a process that would bring the whole kingdom down.
129 Faith, Philosophy, Fairytales
2026-03-13 | 34 min.
After the disasters of the Napoleonic Wars, state bankruptcy and losing Norway, Denmark was in bad shape. But even though the future looked bleak, a Golden Age was actually waiting right around the corner. Its writers and thinkers would shape Danish society for generations.
128 Revolutionary Marshal, Reactionary Monarch
2026-02-27 | 36 min.
In 1818, Bernadotte became king of Sweden and Norway under the name Karl Johan. He was eager to develop his kingdoms economically and socially, but when his new subjects displayed dissatisfaction with his rule, the old revolutionary reverted to classic royal reactionary tactics.
A chronological journey through the history of Scandinavia from the last ice age to the dawn of the space age. Geographically, we cover the five modern Nordic countries of Denmark, Norway, Iceland, Sweden and Finland—as well as a few other bits and pieces here and there where it‘s relevant.
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