Europe 1863: Schleswig-Holstein Question

Schleswig and Holstein were two largely German duchies which had long been ruled by Denmark. In 1863 the Danes revised their constitution to tie Schleswig more closely to Denmark—outraging German nationalists across Europe, who wanted the two duchies free from foreign rule. Supporting the nationalist cause, the small German states of Hanover and Saxony responded by occupying Holstein on behalf of the German Confederation.

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Main Events

4–8 Jan 1862 Anglo-French arrival in Veracruz

In early January 1862 a British expeditionary force of some 700 marines landed at Veracruz, joining the allied Spanish occupation force that had taken control of the port city in December. A few days later the French also arrived, bringing an additional 3,500 French troops and 4,000 Belgians, all under the command of General Charles de Lorencez. After proclaiming that the allied force was not a conquering army and was only there to resolve Mexico’s outstanding debts, Spanish general Juan Prim opened up negotiations with the Mexican government, which agreed to a conference at Orizaba. in wikipedia

23 Sep 1862 Bismarck Cabinet

In 1862 the increasingly liberal Prussian Landtag (Parliament) refused to authorize funding for a reorganization of the army, starting a constitutional crisis with the new king William I. In response, William reluctantly appointed the ambitious politician Otto von Bismarck as Minister President (Prime Minister) and Foreign Minister in September. After using a legal loophole to get past the funding crisis, Bismarck would proceed to crack down on liberalism the following year, initiating a strong 27-year administration that would see the creation and consolidation of the German Empire under Prussian hegemony. in wikipedia

8 Feb 1863 Alvensleben Convention

In January 1863 a major uprising broke out against Russian rule in Congress Poland, persuading neighboring Prussia to immediately close its border and mobilize the army in case a similar revolt broke out among the Poles in its eastern provinces. Early the following month the two powers signed the Alvensleben Convention, agreeing on the right of each of their military forces to cross the border in pursuit of Polish rebels and to extradite captured Polish revolutionaries to Russian military courts. Although ultimately the convention was never implemented—the Polish uprising never spread to Prussia—it improved Russo-Prussian relations and helped convince Russia to remain neutral during the Austro-Prussian and Franco-Prussian wars. in wikipedia

18 Nov 1863 November Constitution

Christian IX of Denmark signs November Constitution, incorporating Schleswig in Denmarkin wikipedia

24 Dec 1863 Saxony and Hanover occupy Holstein

Saxony and Hanover occupy Holsteinin wikipedia