Formation of the Security Policy Of Danish Kingdom in the 20.th Century

This thesis is concerned with Danish foreign and security policy in the 20th century. In the Middle Ages Denmark was a major Scandinavian power but after a series of territorial losses it became a relatively small country. Due to this development, it started to pursue the policy of neutrality as the means of ensuring its security. The policy proved to be a successful strategy until World War I, yet utterly failed during World War II. The War became a turning point in Danish security policy, because Denmark abstained from neutrality from 1945 on and changed the way of enforcing its security and its understanding dramatically. The policy of neutrality was based on the assumption that if Denmark had not been perceived as a threat, it would not have been attacked. However, such perception of security was applicable only during the period of multipolarity. The outcome of World War II led to the shift from polarity to bipolarity, as represented by two superpowers. In the new situation the policy of neutrality couldn't have ensured Denmark's security, considering the geo-strategic position of the country. As a result, Denmark had to choose one side in the superpower rivalry. Thus it chose the United States and entered the organization of collective defence (the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation), established by..