**July 1920 Danish Folketing Election**
**Definition:**
The July 1920 Danish Folketing election was a parliamentary election held in Denmark to elect members to the Folketing, the country’s lower house of parliament. This election was significant as it followed the reunification of Southern Jutland (North Schleswig) with Denmark after World War I, influencing the political landscape of the country.
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# July 1920 Danish Folketing Election
The July 1920 Danish Folketing election was a pivotal parliamentary election held on 6 July 1920. It was the first election after the reunification of Southern Jutland (North Schleswig) with Denmark, a territory that had been under German control since 1864. The election was marked by the integration of new constituencies from the reunited region and reflected the shifting political dynamics in Denmark during the interwar period. The election resulted in a victory for the Social Democrats, who remained the largest party in the Folketing, but without an absolute majority.
## Historical Context
### Reunification of Southern Jutland
The 1920 election took place in the aftermath of significant territorial changes for Denmark. Following the defeat of Germany in World War I, the Treaty of Versailles mandated plebiscites in Schleswig to determine the future sovereignty of the region. The northern part of Schleswig (Southern Jutland) voted to reunite with Denmark, officially rejoining the country on 15 June 1920. This reunification was a momentous event for Denmark, restoring a region lost in the Second Schleswig War of 1864.
The reintegration of Southern Jutland had important political implications. The region was granted representation in the Folketing, increasing the number of seats and altering the electoral map. The July 1920 election was the first to include these new constituencies, making it a landmark in Danish parliamentary history.
### Political Climate in Denmark
Denmark in 1920 was a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democracy. The political landscape was dominated by several key parties:
– The Social Democrats (Socialdemokratiet), representing the working class and advocating for social reforms.
– The Liberal Party (Venstre), traditionally representing farmers and rural interests.
– The Conservative People’s Party (Det Konservative Folkeparti), representing conservative and business interests.
– The Danish Social Liberal Party (Radikale Venstre), a centrist party advocating for social liberalism and reform.
The period was characterized by social and economic challenges following World War I, including inflation, labor unrest, and debates over social welfare policies. The reunification of Southern Jutland also brought new political voices and concerns into the national dialogue.
## Electoral System
The Folketing was elected using a proportional representation system, designed to allocate seats in the parliament in proportion to the votes received by each party. The system aimed to ensure fair representation of the diverse political views within the country.
The inclusion of Southern Jutland increased the total number of seats in the Folketing. The election was conducted across multiple constituencies, including the newly integrated areas, which had their own local political dynamics.
## Election Campaign
The campaign leading up to the July 1920 election was influenced by several key issues:
– **Reunification and National Identity:** The integration of Southern Jutland was a central theme, with parties seeking to address the concerns of the new voters and the challenges of unifying the region politically and administratively.
– **Economic Policy:** Post-war economic difficulties, including inflation and unemployment, were major concerns. Parties debated approaches to social welfare, labor rights, and economic recovery.
– **Social Reform:** The Social Democrats pushed for expanded social programs and workers’ rights, while other parties emphasized fiscal responsibility and agricultural interests.
– **Foreign Policy:** Although Denmark remained neutral during World War I, the post-war environment raised questions about defense and international relations.
The Social Democrats campaigned on a platform of social justice and reform, seeking to consolidate their position as the leading party. The Liberal Party and Conservatives emphasized stability and economic prudence, while the Social Liberals positioned themselves as a moderate alternative.
## Election Results
The July 1920 election resulted in the following distribution of seats in the Folketing:
| Party | Votes (%) | Seats Won | Change from Previous Election |
|—————————-|———–|———–|——————————-|
| Social Democrats | 39.4% | 48 | +2 |
| Liberal Party (Venstre) | 28.3% | 51 | -1 |
| Conservative People’s Party | 15.7% | 26 | +1 |
| Danish Social Liberal Party | 13.0% | 18 | -2 |
| Others | 3.6% | 1 | 0 |
*Note: The total number of seats was 144.*
### Analysis of Results
– The Social Democrats remained the largest party but did not achieve an outright majority.
– The Liberal Party maintained a strong presence, particularly in rural areas.
– The Conservative People’s Party made modest gains.
– The Danish Social Liberal Party experienced a slight decline.
– The newly integrated Southern Jutland constituencies contributed to the overall seat distribution, with local candidates reflecting regional interests.
The election underscored the fragmented nature of Danish politics, necessitating coalition-building and cooperation among parties to form a government.
## Aftermath and Government Formation
Following the election, the Social Democrats, led by Thorvald Stauning, continued to play a central role in Danish politics. However, lacking a majority, they had to negotiate with other parties to form a stable government. The political environment required compromise, particularly on social and economic policies.
The reintegration of Southern Jutland was a gradual process, with political representation helping to integrate the region into the national framework. The election set the stage for subsequent political developments in Denmark during the 1920s, including debates over welfare state expansion and responses to economic challenges.
## Significance
The July 1920 Danish Folketing election was significant for several reasons:
– It was the first election after the reunification of Southern Jutland, marking a major territorial and political change for Denmark.
– The election reflected the evolving political landscape of Denmark in the post-World War I era.
– It demonstrated the continued strength of the Social Democrats and the importance of coalition politics.
– The inclusion of new constituencies from Southern Jutland broadened the representativeness of the Folketing.
The election is often studied as a key moment in Danish political history, illustrating the challenges and opportunities of national reunification and democratic governance.
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**Meta Description:**
The July 1920 Danish Folketing election was the first parliamentary election after the reunification of Southern Jutland with Denmark, resulting in a continued Social Democratic plurality and reflecting the changing political landscape of post-World War I Denmark.