---
title: "Danish War: Conflict of 1864 | Model Diplomat"
description: "The Danish War was the 1864 conflict where Prussia and Austria defeated Denmark for Schleswig, Holstein, and Lauenburg, marking a key unification step."
url: "https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/danish-war"
---

[New](https://modeldiplomat.com/)

#

Model Diplomat Research Team · Last reviewed June 22, 2026

TL;DR

- The Danish War of 1864 was the conflict in which Prussia and Austria defeated Denmark to wrest control of the duchies of Schleswig, Holstein, and Lauenburg.
- Why is the Danish War of 1864 significant in German history?
- What was the Convention of Gastein and why did it matter?
- Which treaty had earlier guaranteed Danish territorial integrity?
- How does the Danish War fit into the sequence of German unification wars?

[Civil Service & Diplomatic Exams](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/civil-services/glossary)Updated June 22, 2026

The Danish War of 1864 was the conflict in which Prussia and Austria defeated Denmark to wrest control of the duchies of Schleswig, Holstein, and Lauenburg.

Go beyond the definition

## Research Danish War like a delegate

Model Diplomat's AI drafts position papers, speeches, and country research with real sources — built for MUN and politics students.

## Timeline

1. 18 April 1864

   The decisive military engagement was the Prussian storming of the Danish fortifications at Dybbøl (Düppel) on , followed by the occupation of Jutland.

2. 30 October 1864

   The Treaty of Vienna () compelled Denmark to cede Schleswig, Holstein, and Lauenburg to the joint administration of Prussia and Austria.

3. 14 August 1865

   The Convention of Gastein () divided administration—Prussia governing Schleswig, Austria governing Holstein, and Prussia purchasing Lauenburg—an arrangement…

## Research it like a delegate

Research on modeldiplomat.com

## Ask a follow-up about Danish War

Open a cited briefing in Model Diplomat search — timelines, positions, and sources you can use in committee or exam answers.

[Start research on Danish War](https://modeldiplomat.com/search?q=Explain%20Danish%20War%20%E2%80%94%20key%20dates%2C%20actors%2C%20positions%2C%20and%20sources)

Example

In April 1864, Prussian forces under Bismarck's direction stormed the Danish defences at Dybbøl, forcing Denmark to surrender Schleswig, Holstein, and Lauenburg by the Treaty of Vienna later that year.

Keep learning

## Go deeper than the definition

Lessons

[Unification Of Germany Italy](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/lessons/upsc-world-history-unification-of-germany-italy)

Courses

[Upsc World History](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/courses/upsc-world-history)

[Explore all Civil Service & Diplomatic Exams lessons](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/civil-services)[Test yourself with a quiz](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/quiz/civil-services)

## Take Danish War beyond the glossary

Ask the AI research engine built for diplomacy — get briefings, position papers, and speeches with sources you can cite in committee.