National Pride and Defeat: A Comparison of Danish and German Nationalism

Abstract

uncommon among the other European nations that became entangled in Germany's war and in its 'Final Solution' of the Jewish question. Today we know of the different rescue attempts initiated by individuals, groups and organizations who engaged in this complicated and mostly dangerous undertaking with varying success. All those struggling on behalf of the persecuted Jews faced formidable obstacles, factual and spiritual, in the political, social and individual realm.' The Danes, on the other hand officialdom, society and individuals acted from the beginning as though by pre-established agreement and when the danger for Jews became acute, united with remarkable ease in a national act of deliverance. In addition to the favourable geographical and political circumstances, it was the spontaneity of the unisonous response that engendered its outstanding success.2 During the ten years preceding the war, Danish society had by no means been uniform, and the political upheaval and social convulsions which shook the European nations had repercussions in Denmark. In their response to the German occupation, however, the Danes presented a united front, politically and socially. A broad coalition government was formed, assisted by a new body, the Council of Unity. Its founding statement declared: