Schleswig-Holstein Worksheets
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Fact File
Student Activities
Table of Contents
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Summary
- Overview
- Early History
- Medieval Schleswig and Holstein
- Early Modern Period
- 19th-Century Nationalism and Wars
- 20th Century
Key Facts And Information
Let’s know more about Schleswig-Holstein!
Schleswig-Holstein, the northernmost state of Germany, has a long history that connects Northern and Central Europe. Its place between the North Sea and the Baltic Sea made it an important area for trade, travel, and sharing cultures. Over time, it became home to early settlers, Vikings and Germanic nations, and a meeting point for Danish and German influences.
Through the Middle Ages and later years, Schleswig-Holstein went through many border changes, wars and unions. Today, it remains a region where both cultures meet and share traditions, languages and history.
Location of Schleswig-Holstein in Germany
OVERVIEW ABOUT SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN
- Schleswig-Holstein is the northernmost state of Germany. It lies on the Jutland Peninsula, between the North Sea to the west and the Baltic Sea to the east. It borders Denmark in the north and the German states of Lower Saxony, Hamburg and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern in the south. The state includes the regions of Schleswig (with Northern Schleswig now in Denmark), Holstein, the former Duchy of Lauenburg, and the old city of Lübeck. Its location between two seas has made it an important area for trade, culture and politics throughout history.
- The land in Schleswig-Holstein is varied. The western part is mostly flat, while the east has rolling hills, lakes and the highest point, Bungsberg, which is 168 metres (551 feet) tall. The coastlines include bays, fjords and cliffs. The state also has many islands, such as Sylt, Föhr, Amrum, Heligoland and Fehmarn. The North Frisian Islands and the Wadden Sea form the Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea National Park, the largest in Central Europe. Forests cover only a small part of the land, about 11%.
- The culture is a mix of Danish, Frisian and German traditions. Some people speak minority languages like Danish, North Frisian and Low German, in addition to standard German. The state is known for its festivals, such as Kiel Week and the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival. Local foods include dishes like Birnen, Bohnen und Speck, Holsteiner Sauerfleisch and Lübeck Marzipan. Lübeck’s old town is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- The economy is based on farming, especially dairy farming with Holstein cows, fishing, renewable energy, shipbuilding and tourism. The Kiel Canal connects the North and Baltic Seas and is an important trade route. Ports like Kiel, Lübeck, Brunsbüttel and Puttgarden are used for shipping goods and passenger ferries. Tourists visit the beaches, islands and historic towns each year.
- Because of its position between Denmark and Germany, Schleswig-Holstein has always been influenced by both cultures. Over time, changes in borders and politics split Schleswig into a Danish part and a German part. This gave Schleswig and Holstein their own identities, but they stayed closely connected through shared culture, trade and traditions.
EARLY HISTORY
- From the Stone Age to the Viking Age, it was home to many different peoples who influenced its culture and history. Early settlers farmed, hunted and fished near rivers, lakes and along the coast. Later, Germanic nations, Slavs, Danes and Frisians made their homes there, while Vikings used the region as a centre for trade, travel and raids.
Timeline:
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- c. 10,000 – 2000 BCE: Early people lived near rivers, lakes and the coast. They hunted, fished, farmed, and left tools, pottery and burial sites.
- Early centuries CE: Germanic nations settled here. Angles lived near Haithabu and Schleswig, Jutes in northern Jutland, Saxons in western Holstein. Slavic Wagrians lived in eastern Holstein.
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- Around 900 CE: Danish settlers moved into northern and central Schleswig; Frisians settled in western Schleswig. Viking leader Olaf briefly ruled Haithabu.
- c. 800 – 1050 CE: Vikings traded and raided across the North Sea and Baltic Sea. Haithabu became an important trading centre. Danevirke fortifications protected southern Schleswig.
- 798 CE: Obodrites and Franks defeated Nordalbingian Saxons at the Battle of Bornhöved.
- 811 CE: The Eider River became the border between Denmark and the Frankish Empire. Slavic groups sometimes rebelled south of the Elbe, like in 983.
MEDIEVAL SCHLESWIG AND HOLSTEIN
- Between 1050 and 1500 CE, Schleswig and Holstein went through many battles, alliances, and changes in rulers. Danish kings, Saxon lords and Slavic groups fought for control, while towns like Haithabu and Lübeck became busy trade centres. Over time, the two regions became more connected, eventually joining under both Danish and German rule.
Timeline:
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- 934: German King Henry I establishes the March of Schleswig between the Eider and Schlei rivers as a border against Denmark. Central Holstein remains under Saxon dukes.
- 1066: Viking trading town Haithabu (Hedeby) is destroyed, leaving Schleswig as a contested area between Danish and German rulers.
- 1106: Duke Lothair of Saxony grants Adolphus of Schauenburg the County of Holstein.
- 1128–1164: Adolphus II defeats the Wagrians in eastern Holstein, encourages settlers, and founds Lübeck as a trading hub.
- 1227: Second Battle of Bornhöved ends with Adolphus IV of Holstein defeating Danish forces; Holstein stays under the Schauenburg family.
- 1232: Schleswig becomes a duchy for Abel of Denmark; Holstein remains a German fief in the Holy Roman Empire.
- 1304–1340: Gerhard III of Holstein-Rendsburg defends Schleswig from Danish claims, keeping it mostly independent.
- 1375: Abelian line of Schleswig dukes ends; Holstein-Rendsburg counts become main rulers of both Schleswig and Holstein.
- 1460: King Christian I of Denmark elected Duke of Schleswig and Count of Holstein-Rendsburg. Treaty of Ribe establishes that Schleswig and Holstein ‘remain forever together undivided’.
- 1472: Emperor Frederick III confirms Christian I as Duke of Holstein; Schleswig remains under Denmark, Holstein gains imperial status.
SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN IN THE EARLY MODERN PERIOD
- Between 1500 and 1800, Schleswig and Holstein were ruled by the Danish king but kept some independence. The region went through religious changes, language shifts, land divisions, and wars in Europe. Over time, Denmark gained more control, although parts of Holstein stayed linked to the Holy Roman Empire and for a short time to Russia.
Timeline:
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- 1523: Duke Christian III becomes co-ruler of Schleswig and Holstein.
- 1537: Lutheranism is made the official religion of the duchies.
- 1544: The duchies are divided among Christian III and his brothers; they share taxes and land but rule together.
- 1559: Schleswig-Holstein conquers Dithmarschen, a small peasant republic, and divides it among the rulers.
- 1600s: The duchies are affected by the Thirty Years’ War; the Duke of Holstein-Gottorp sometimes sides with Sweden against Denmark.
- 1700 & 1720: Treaties confirm Danish control over Schleswig, while Holstein-Gottorp keeps parts of Holstein under the Holy Roman Empire.
- 1700s: Holstein-Gottorp becomes linked to Russia when Duke Charles Peter Ulrich becomes Tsar Peter III; he attempts to reclaim land in Schleswig-Holstein.
- 1773: After Peter III is overthrown, his wife Catherine II abandons Russia’s claims, and all of Schleswig and Holstein come under the Danish king, though Holstein remains formally part of the Holy Roman Empire.
19TH-CENTURY NATIONALISM AND WARS
- During the 19th century, Schleswig and Holstein were caught between Denmark and German nationalists. Denmark wanted to keep control, but many Germans in the duchies wanted to join Germany. Arguments over who should rule, language and laws led to revolts and wars. In the end, Prussia took control, changing the region’s politics and culture.
Timeline:
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- 1806: After the Holy Roman Empire is abolished, Holstein comes under Denmark’s practical control. Danish reforms end torture and serfdom, introduce Danish laws and currency, and make Danish the official language.
- 1815: Following the Congress of Vienna, Holstein and Lauenburg join the German Confederation; Schleswig remains tied to Denmark.
- Early 1800s: Rising German nationalism in Holstein and southern Schleswig clashes with Danish authority.
- 1848: German-minded residents revolt; Prussia intervenes, but European powers prevent full German control.
- 1852: London Convention restores Danish authority but keeps Holstein connected to Germany.
- 1848–1854: Denmark tries to unite Schleswig and Holstein with new constitutions, but conflicts arise because of language and cultural differences.
- 1863: King Christian IX signs the November Constitution to bring Schleswig closer to Denmark, breaking the London Protocol and angering German nationalists.
- 1864: In the Second Schleswig War, Prussia and Austria defeat Denmark and take control of the duchies.
- 1866: After the Austro-Prussian War, Prussia officially annexes Schleswig and Holstein. Danish communities in the north face limits, and German becomes the main language in schools and public life.
20TH CENTURY
- The 20th century brought major political changes to Schleswig-Holstein. After World War I, the region’s borders were redrawn through a public vote. During World War II, it was part of Nazi Germany, but Hitler chose not to challenge Denmark’s border. After the war, Schleswig-Holstein became home to many refugees and continued to play an important part in German-Danish relations.
Timeline:
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- 1919–1920: After Germany’s defeat in World War I, Denmark holds a plebiscite to decide the border.
- 10 February 1920: In Northern Schleswig, 75% vote to reunite with Denmark; 25% choose Germany.
- 14 March 1920: In Central Schleswig, 80% vote to remain with Germany.
- 15 June 1920: Northern Schleswig officially becomes part of Denmark; Germany keeps Holstein and South Schleswig.
- 1920: The Easter Crisis occurs when King Christian X dismisses Prime Minister Zahle, causing strikes and protests until a new government is formed.
- 1939–1945 (World War II): Local Nazi leaders want to reclaim Danish land, but Hitler refuses to avoid conflict with Denmark.
- 1945: After World War II, some Danish politicians call for reunification of South Schleswig, but the idea is rejected.
- Late 1940s: About 860,000 German refugees settle in Schleswig-Holstein, increasing the population by one-third.
- Today: Schleswig-Holstein is part of Germany, and Northern Schleswig belongs to Denmark. Both countries work together and respect their minorities: Danes in the south and Germans in the north. Their peaceful relationship today shows how the region has moved past its divided history.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Schleswig-Holstein
- What is Schleswig-Holstein?
It is a state in northern Germany, bordering Denmark to the north and the North Sea and Baltic Sea on either side.
- Why is it historically important?
It has long been a disputed region between Denmark and Germany, with both countries claiming it at different times. Its history shaped much of 19th-century European politics.
- What was the Schleswig-Holstein Question?
The Schleswig-Holstein Question was a complex diplomatic and national issue in the 19th century about who should control the duchies of Schleswig and Holstein — Denmark or the German Confederation.