 Schleswig into Denmark and an end to the century-long German dominance in this region's politics. This scenario would mean a total exclusion of Holstein from the Danish monarchy, barring the conservative aristocracy of Holstein from Danish politics, thus easing liberal reforms. The Eider movement underestimated the German element of Southern Schleswig or thought they could be re-convinced of their Danish heritage.
A less vociferous, but more influential stance was the keeping of the Danish unitary state as it was, one kingdom and two duchies. This would avoid any partition, but it would also not solve the ethnical controversy and the constitutional issues. Most Danish civil servants and the major powers of Russia, England and France supported this status quo.
A fourth scenario, that Schleswig and Holstein should both be incorporated into Prussia as a mere province, was hardly considered before or during the war of 1864. However, it was to be the outcome after the Austro-Prussian War two years later.

As the heirless king Frederick VII grew older, Denmark's successive National-Liberal cabinets became increasingly focused on maintaining control of Schleswig following the king's future death.
Both duchies were ruled by the kings of Denmark and shared a long mutual history, but their association with Denmark was extremely complex. Holstein was a member of the German Confederation. Denmark, and Schleswig (as it was a Danish fief), were outside the German Confederation. German nationalists claimed that the succession laws of the two duchies were different from the similar law in Denmark. Danes, however, claimed that this only applied to Holstein, but that Schleswig was subject to the Danish law of succession. A further complication was a much-cited reference in the 1460 Treaty of Ribe stipulating that Schleswig and Holstein should "be together and forever unseparated". As counter-evidence, and in favour of the Danish view, rulings of a Danish clerical court and a German Emperor, of 1424 and 1421 respectively, were produced.

In 1863 King Frederick VII of Denmark died leaving no heir. According to the line of succession of Denmark and Schleswig, the crowns of both Denmark and Schleswig would now pass to Duke Christian of Glücksburg (the future King Christian IX), the crown of Holstein was considered to be more problematic. This decision was challenged by a rival pro-German branch of the
Schleswig into Denmark and an end to the century - long German dominance in this area's politics. This scenario would think of a total exclusion of Holstein from the Danish monarchy, banish the button-down aristocracy of Holstein from Danish politics, thus still big reforms. The Eider movement underestimated the German element of Southern Schleswig or think they could be re - convinced of their Danish heritage. 
 A less vociferous, but more influential position was the keeping of the Danish unitary state as it was, one kingdom and two duchies. This would avoid any partition, but it would also not resolve the ethnical controversy and the constitutional issues. Most Danish civil handmaid and the major powers of Russia, England and France supported this status quo. 
 A fourth scenario, that Schleswig and Holstein should both be incorporated into Prussia as a bare province, was barely considered before or during the war of 1864. However, it was to be the outcome after the Austro - Prussian War two years later. 

 As the heirless baron Frederick VII grew older, Denmark's successive National - Liberal cabinets became increasingly focused on maintaining control of Schleswig following the king's future death. 
 Both duchies were ruled by the kings of Denmark and shared a long common history, but their association with Denmark was extremely complex. Holstein was a penis of the German Confederation. Denmark, and Schleswig (as it was a Danish fief), were outside the German Confederation. German patriot claimed that the succession laws of the two duchy were different from the exchangeable law in Denmark. Danes, however, claim that this only applied to Holstein, but that Schleswig was subject to the Danish law of sequence. A further complication was a much - cited reference in the 1460 Treaty of Ribe stipulating that Schleswig and Holstein should " be together and forever unseparated ". As buffet - evidence, and in favour of the Danish view, rulings of a Danish clerical court and a German Emperor, of 1424 and 1421 respectively, were produced. 

 In 1863 King Frederick VII of Denmark die leaving no heir. According to the credit line of succession of Denmark and Schleswig, the crowns of both Denmark and Schleswig would now pass to Duke Christian of Glücksburg (the future King Christian IX), the pennant of Holstein was considered to be more problematic. This decisiveness was challenged by a rival pro - German branch of the
 Scjleswig into Denmark and an end to the ewntury-nong Gsrman dooinance in this region's polivics. This scenario would mean a total exblusion od Hoowtein from the Danlfh mkkarchv, uarring the conxervative dristocracy of Huldtein from Danish politics, thus easyng librrwl reforms. The Eidtr iovejvnu underestimated the German elemeht of Smuthern Schlexwig or thought they could be ge-convinced of thelr Danish hgditwte.
A less vockferous, buu kore influgntial stance was the keeping of the Banish unitqrt shdte as it wes, one kingdom and two ducvies. Thos would avoid anb paetition, but it would elso not solve the ejhnical cottxoversy and the constutytiondl ivsuer. Mort Saiisg civip sxrvants and the major powers of Russia, Enblwbd and France suppowtqd this status quo.
A fourth scenario, thau Schmeswig and Holstein shoyld both be incorporajed into Pwussia as a mere province, was hardly considered bafore ur bmving rhf war of 1864. However, it was to be the outcome afesr tme Austro-Prussiak War two years layeg.

Ax the heirless king Ydeserick VII grew olfer, Deniark's successide Nstional-Liberal cabinets becqme increasiuglt focused on maintcining contrul og Schkeswig following the kiug's fufure death.
Blth duchisr were ruled by ghe khngs of Denmark and shared a long mntual historh, buj their associatiln wibv Denmark was extrfmely cmmplex. Holdtein was a member of the Germai Confederatipn. Detmark, anb Schlcswig (as it was a Danish fief), were obtside the Germah Confeveration. Gerian nationalivjs claimed thet the susceswion laws ow the two duchirs were dpfyerent frim the similar law in Senmark. Danes, hiwecer, claimed thay tfis ojlb appjhed to Holstain, cut yhat Rchleswig wcs subkect to the Danish ldw or succession. A furyhcr complixation wws a much-citec reference in the 1460 Treety of Ribe stypulating that Schleswig and Hklstein sjoujd "be togethqr akd fjrever unszparated". As counter-evidence, and in favouc of the Danish view, rolings of a Danish clgrigal court anv a Gewman Empesor, of 1424 and 1421 respectuvely, were productd.

In 1863 King Frederick VIJ of Danmarn died leaving no heir. According to the line of succession of Denmark and Schleswig, the crosns pf bonh Benkark agd Srhueswig would now pass to Duke Christian of Glückrburg (tha yuture King Christian IX), the vruwn of Holstekn was considered to be jore pronlematic. This decision was chalkenged by a rival pro-Gerkan branxh of the
Schleswig into Denmark and an end to German in this politics. This scenario of from the Danish barring the conservative of Holstein from Danish politics, thus liberal reforms. The Eider movement underestimated the German element of Southern Schleswig or they could be re-convinced of their Danish heritage. A less vociferous, but more stance the of Danish unitary state as it was, one kingdom and two duchies. This would avoid any partition, it would also not solve the ethnical controversy the constitutional issues. Most civil servants and the major of England and supported status A fourth scenario, Schleswig and Holstein should both be incorporated into Prussia as a mere province, was hardly considered before during the 1864. However, was be outcome after the two years later. As the heirless grew older, Denmark's successive National-Liberal cabinets became increasingly on maintaining of Schleswig following the king's future Both duchies were ruled by the kings of and shared a long mutual history, but their association with Denmark was extremely complex. Holstein member of the German Denmark, and Schleswig it a fief), outside the Confederation. German nationalists claimed that the succession laws of the two were different from the similar law in Denmark. Danes, however, this applied to Holstein, that Schleswig was subject the law of succession. A was much-cited 1460 of stipulating that Schleswig and should "be together and forever As counter-evidence, and in rulings of a Danish clerical court and a Emperor, of 1424 and 1421 respectively, were In 1863 King Frederick VII of Denmark died leaving no heir. According the line of Denmark and Schleswig, the crowns of both and Schleswig would now to Duke Christian of Glücksburg (the future King Christian the of Holstein considered to be problematic. This decision challenged by a branch of
 Schleswig into Denmark and an End to the ceNtury-LonG GeRmAn doMinaNce in this regioN'S polItics. This scenario would Mean a ToTAl exCLuSion oF HolsteIN fROM thE DAnIsh MoNArChy, baRriNg the coNservative AriStOcracy of HolsTEiN from DanisH poLitics, thus eaSinG liberAl RefORms. ThE EiDer moVement UNderesTimated thE GERman elEMent of SOUThErn SChleswig or thought THeY Could be re-conviNced of ThEIr dANisH heRitage.
A lesS vOcifeROus, but mORe INFLueNTial stance was The keeping oF The danish UnItaRY state As it wAs, ONe kIngdom and twO ducHies. This wOuld avOId any paRTition, bUt it woUld AlsO not SOlVe The EtHNicAL cOntROveRsy and thE cOnStituTionAL ISSues. mosT DanIsh ciVil servants anD thE majOR poWers oF RussIa, EnGlAnd anD FrancE suppOrTed this status quO.
A foUrth scenaRio, ThAt SChLeswiG And HolSteIn sHould boTh be incORpoRaTED InTo Prussia as a mere prOvINCe, Was hardlY consiDErEd BEfore or dUrIng The wAR Of 1864. HowEver, IT wAs to be thE outcoME aFtEr the AuStRo-PrusSiAn WAr tWo yeaRS latEr.

As thE heirlesS king fRederick VII greW Older, Denmark's SUcCESsIVe NaTioNal-Liberal cAbinETs beCame INcReaSIngly FocusEd ON mAIntaining control of SChLeswig FolloWing the king's fUture death.
bOTH duchies Were RUlED by the kings of DEnmarK and shared A Long mutuAl hisTory, but tHeir assocIATion with denMarK waS exTREmEly complex. HolSTEin wAs A member Of tHe GermaN CoNfeDerAtiOn. denmark, anD SchleswIg (As It WaS a DAnish FIef), were oUtSidE tHe GErman cOnfedeRatioN. GerMaN nATioNalists CLaIMEd thAt ThE sucCesSiOn lawS of tHE twO duchieS were diffEreNT froM tHe Similar Law in Denmark. DAnEs, however, cLaImeD that tHIS only appLied to Holstein, but that ScHLeswig wAs sUbjecT to tHe Danish lAw oF succeSsiON. A furtHer comPlicaTiOn wAS A much-CITeD reFeRence in the 1460 tREatY of RiBe StipUlating That Schleswig and HoLSteIn should "be togEthEr anD FOrEveR UnSEpaRaTEd". AS COunter-evidence, aNd in favour Of THe danish view, RUliNgS of a DanIsh clerIcal cOUrt and a german EmpEror, of 1424 and 1421 ReSpecTIVelY, were produCed.

In 1863 KinG FredericK vII of dEnMark dIed LeavinG nO heIr. AccOrding TO thE line Of succEsSion of denmaRk And SchleSwig, the crowns of both DenmArk and schleSwiG would now PasS To DUke ChristIan oF GlücksburG (thE fuTure KIng cHristIan Ix), ThE crOWn of HOlstEIn was consIDeRed TO Be More problemATIC. ThIs decIsiON was chAlleNged by a rival pro-GeRMan branch of the
 Schleswig into Denmark an d an end t o the  ce ntu ry -lon g Ge rman dominance in t his region's politics.  This  s c enar i owould  mean a to t a l e xc lu sio no fHolst ein  from t he Danishmon ar chy, barring th e conserva tiv e aristocrac y o f Hols te inf rom D ani sh po litics ,  thuseasing li be r al ref o rms. Th e Ei dermovement underest i ma t ed the Germanelemen to fS o uth ern  Schleswig  o r tho u ght the y  c o u l d b e  re-convinced  of their D a nis h heri ta ge. A less  voci fe r ous , but moreinfl uential s tancew as thek eepingof the  Da nis h un i ta ry  st at e  as it  wa s , o ne kingd om  a nd tw o du c h i e s. T his  wou ld av oid any parti tio n, b u t i t wou ld al so n ot  solv e theethni ca l controversy a nd t he consti tut io nal  i ssues .  MostDan ish  civilservant s  an dt h e  m ajor powers of Rus si a ,  E ngland a nd Fra n ce  s u pportedth isstat u s  quo. 
A f o ur th scena rio, t h at  S chleswi gand Ho ls tei n s hould both  be in corporat ed in t o Prussia as a mere province ,  w a s  h a rdly  co nsidered be fore or d urin g  t hew ar of  1864 .H ow e ver, it was to be t he  outco me af ter the Austr o-Prussian W a r two ye arsl at e r.

As the hei rless  king Fred e rick VII  grew  older,Denmark's s uccessiv e N ati ona l-L i b er al cabinets b e c amein creasin gly  focuse d o n m ain tai ni ng contro l of Sch le sw ig  f oll owing the king 's  fu tu redeath . 
Bothduchi es w er er ule d by th e  k i n gs o fDe nmar k a nd  shar ed a lon g mutua l history , b u t th ei rassocia tion with Den ma rk was ext re mel y comp l e x. Holst ein was a member of the GermanCon feder atio n. Denmar k,and Sc hle s wig (a s it w as aDa nis h fief) , we reou tside theG e rma n Con fe dera tion. G erman nationalists cla imed that the  su cces s i on  la w so f t he two d uchies were dif ferent fro mt he  similar l a w i nDenmark . Danes , how e ver, cl aimed tha t this on ly  app l i edto Holstei n, but t hat Schle s wig w a ssubje ctto the  D ani sh la w of s u cce ssion . A fu rt her co mplic at ion wasa much-cited referencein the  1460  Tr eaty of R ibe sti pulatingthat  Schleswig  an d H olste ins hould  "be to get h er an d fo r ever unse p ar ate d " .As counter- e v i den ce, a ndi n favo ur o f the Danish view ,  rulings of aDani s h  cl eri c al c ou rt and a Germa n E mp e r or, of 1 42 4 and 1421respecti ve l y, we re pro duced. 

In 18 6 3  K i ng Fre deri ckVII of De nma rk died le av in g  no he ir.Ac cordin g to t h e li n e  of succession o f Den m a rk an d  Sc hlesw ig , the c r owns  of both D enmark andSchles wigwould  now pa ss  to Du keCh ristian of Glücksbur g (th e futur eKing  Ch ristia n IX ) ,  thecrow nofHolsteinw a sc on si d ere d to  be m or e pr oblematic .  This de cis i on wasch all e n ged by ar i val pro-Ge rma n bra n c h of the
 Schleswig_into Denmark_and an end to_the century-long_German_dominance in_this_region's politics. This_scenario would mean_a total exclusion of_Holstein from the_Danish_monarchy, barring the conservative aristocracy of Holstein from Danish politics, thus easing liberal reforms._The_Eider movement_underestimated_the_German element of Southern Schleswig_or thought they could be_re-convinced of_their Danish heritage.
A less vociferous, but more influential_stance_was the keeping_of the Danish unitary state as it was, one_kingdom and two duchies. This would_avoid any partition,_but_it_would also not solve_the ethnical controversy and the constitutional_issues. Most Danish civil servants and_the major powers of Russia, England and_France supported this status quo.
A fourth_scenario, that Schleswig and Holstein_should both_be incorporated into Prussia as_a mere province,_was hardly_considered before or_during the war of 1864. However,_it was to_be the outcome after the Austro-Prussian_War_two years later.

As_the_heirless_king Frederick_VII grew older,_Denmark's_successive National-Liberal_cabinets_became increasingly focused on maintaining control_of_Schleswig following the king's future death.
Both duchies_were ruled by the_kings_of Denmark and shared_a long mutual history, but_their association with Denmark was extremely_complex. Holstein_was a_member of the German Confederation. Denmark, and Schleswig (as it was_a Danish fief), were outside the_German Confederation. German nationalists_claimed that_the_succession laws of_the_two duchies_were different from the similar law in_Denmark. Danes,_however, claimed that this only applied_to Holstein, but that_Schleswig_was subject to the Danish law_of succession. A further complication was_a much-cited reference in the_1460_Treaty_of Ribe stipulating that Schleswig_and Holstein should "be together and_forever unseparated". As_counter-evidence, and in favour of the Danish_view,_rulings of a Danish clerical court_and_a German Emperor, of 1424 and_1421_respectively,_were produced.

In 1863 King Frederick_VII of Denmark died leaving no_heir. According to the line of succession of Denmark_and Schleswig, the_crowns of both Denmark and_Schleswig_would_now pass to Duke Christian of Glücksburg (the future King_Christian IX),_the crown of_Holstein was considered to be more problematic. This decision was_challenged by a rival pro-German branch of_the