Christian IX's accession and the November Constitution

Background. The London Protocol of 1852 resolved the succession question by settling the crown on Prince Christian, designated as second-in-line after Frederick VII's uncle. This agreement required Denmark not to tie Schleswig more closely to the monarchy than Holstein. However, the 1863 events threatened to politically divide the duchies, providing Prussia a pretext for war to seize Schleswig-Holstein under the guise of liberating Germans from Danish rule.

Constitutional Conflict. The November Constitution merged Schleswig into Denmark, violating the 1852 compact which defined intimate relations between the duchies. Bismarck insisted that Austria and Prussia uphold the succession as fixed by the protocol. He issued an ultimatum demanding the abolition of the November Constitution within 48 hours, arguing that any action taken must be correct to deprive Europe of excuse for interference.

Diplomatic Escalation. Bismarck's diplomatic efforts convinced Austria to participate in the war against Denmark, with the assent of other European powers. The German powers agreed to act on the condition that the 1852 compacts were not the basis for relations, and that the duchies should be bound to Denmark by a personal tie only. This stance facilitated the military conflict following the constitutional violation.