- This article is about the region of Schleswig on the German/Danish border. There is also Schleswig, Iowa in the United States of America.
Slesvig 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, 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. The Duchy of Schleswig was in personal union with the Kingdom of Denmark from 1460, and a fief under the Danish Crown until 1864. In 1864 Schleswig-Holstein became a part of Prussia until a referendum in 1920 resulted in the region being partitioned with Northern Schleswig rejoining Denmark, and Southern Schleswig voting to remain a part of Germany.
See also
