In this study, Knud J.V. Jespersen traces the historical roots of the modern Danish state and Denmark's international position at the beginning of the 21st century. Taking the Reformation as the point at which modern Danish society began to emerge, Jespersen explains how modern Denmark was shaped by 500 years of wars, territorial losses, domestic upheavals, new methods of production and changes in thought. He goes on to explore the development of a specific sense of Danish identity, and discusses whether the Danes can be most aptly described as a tribe or as a nation.

Table of Contents

Map of Denmark Introduction: What is Denmark and Who are the Danes? Foreign and Security Policy: From Gatekeeper of the Baltic to a Midget State Domestic Policy, 1500-1848: The Era of Aristocracy and Absolutism Domestic Policy, 1848-2000: Democracy and the Welfare State The Church and Culture from Luther to Postmodernism Economic Conditions: The Old Denmark, 1500-1800 Economic Conditions: The New Denmark, 1800-2000 The Danes: A Tribe or a Nation? References Select Bibliography A Short Chronology Index

About the Author

KNUD J.V. JESPERSEN is Professor of Modern History at the University of Southern Denmark and Royal Historiographer to H.M. the Queen of Denmark.

Reviews

'An eminently approachable and readable introduction to Danish history.' - Thomas Munck, University of Glasgow