The Treaty of Kiel - January 14, 1814

The Treaty of Kiel, signed on January 14, 1814, marked a pivotal moment in the Napoleonic Wars as it brought an end to the hostilities between the United Kingdom and the Kingdom of Denmark-Norway. This treaty held significant geopolitical consequences for the Scandinavian region and the broader balance of power in Europe.

Context and Key Events

During the early 19th century, Denmark-Norway found itself embroiled in the Napoleonic Wars. Initially, Denmark-Norway attempted to maintain neutrality; however, the British attack on Copenhagen in 1807 and the seizure of the Danish fleet forced Denmark-Norway into an alliance with Napoleon Bonaparte. This alliance put the kingdom at odds with the coalition led by the United Kingdom and several other European powers opposing Napoleon.

As the tides of war gradually turned against Napoleon, Denmark-Norway’s strategic importance grew less tenable, prompting the British and their allies to seek the breakup of the Danish-Norwegian Union, viewing it as a means of weakening Napoleon’s influence in Northern Europe.

Provisions of the Treaty

Under the terms of the Treaty of Kiel, several territorial adjustments were agreed upon:

• Heligoland and the Faroe Islands: These territories were ceded to the United Kingdom. Heligoland, a small archipelago in the North Sea, would later play a strategic role as a naval base. The Faroe Islands, located in the North Atlantic, remain a territory of Denmark to this day.

• Norway to Sweden: In more substantial geopolitical realignment, Norway was ceded to the King of Sweden, Carl XIII. This decision aimed to reward Sweden for its switch from the French to the coalition side and its participation in the campaign against Napoleon. It ultimately resulted in the establishment of a personal union between Sweden and Norway, lasting until 1905.

Aftermath and Consequences

The Treaty of Kiel significantly reshaped the political landscape of Scandinavia. It dissolved the centuries-old union between Denmark and Norway, fundamentally altering Scandinavian politics and national identities. The personal union between Sweden and Norway, formalized in subsequent treaties, proved contentious, leading to tensions and a strong Norwegian independence movement that finally succeeded in peacefully dissolving the union in 1905.

Denmark, weakened by the loss of Norway, turned inward, focusing on domestic reforms and modernization. Meanwhile, the shift of Norway under Swedish influence contributed to the stabilizing alliances in Northern Europe during a period of considerable upheaval.

The Treaty of Kiel was not merely a resolution of wartime hostilities but a realignment that had long-lasting implications for the nations involved, shaping the path of Scandinavian countries well into the future.