Count Johann Hartwig Ernst von Bernstorff facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Johann Hartwig von Bernstorff
Privy Councillor of Denmark
Predecessor	Johan Ludvig Holstein-Ledreborg
Successor	Johann Friedrich Struensee
Born	(1712-05-12)12 May 1712 Hanover, Electorate of Hanover, Holy Roman Empire
Died	18 February 1772(1772-02-18) (aged 59) Hamburg, Holy Roman Empire
Noble family	Bernstorff
Father	Joachim Engelke von Bernstorff
Occupation	Statesman and diplomat

Count Johann Hartwig Ernst von Bernstorff (German: Johann Hartwig Ernst Graf von Bernstorff; 13 May 1712 – 18 February 1772) was an important German-Danish statesman. A statesman is a skilled leader in government. He was also a diplomat, someone who represents their country in talks with other countries. He belonged to the Bernstorff noble family. His father, Joachim Engelke von Bernstorff, worked for the Elector of Hanover.

Early Life and Career

Johann's grandfather, Andreas Gottlieb von Bernstorff, was a very smart minister for King George I. Under his grandfather's guidance, Johann received an excellent education. He became very good at many European languages, especially French.

His relatives helped him start working for the Danish government. In 1732, he went on a special mission to Dresden. From 1738, he represented Holstein at a big meeting in Regensburg.

From 1744 to 1750, he represented Denmark in Paris, France. In 1754, he returned to Denmark. There, he became the Minister of Foreign Affairs. This meant he was in charge of Denmark's relationships with other countries. He was supported by a powerful friend, Adam Gottlob Moltke. King Frederick V also respected him greatly. For 21 years, Bernstorff held the highest position in the Danish government. His ideas were very important in the Council of State. His main focus was on how Denmark dealt with other nations.

Solving the Gottorp Question

For a long time, Danish leaders wanted to settle a land dispute. This was with the House of Gottorp. This family ruled parts of Schleswig and Holstein. Denmark had taken some of their lands in 1721. They wanted a final agreement about the remaining Gottorp lands in Holstein.

The head of the Swedish branch of the Gottorps, Adolph Frederick, had already made a deal in 1750. But the main Gottorp leader, Peter Feodorovich (who later became the Russian Czar), had not agreed.

This land issue was connected to the balance of power in the northern countries. Russia had become very strong in the Baltic region. The Gottorp family often looked to Russia for help. This made it important for Denmark and Sweden to get along better. However, old rivalries between the two countries made this hard. Danish leaders also believed that a king with total power in Sweden was more dangerous than a king with limited power. So, they tried to support Sweden's parliament-based government.

Bernstorff's Approach to Diplomacy

Bernstorff believed that a friendly partnership with a weaker Sweden was key for Denmark. But his plans often faced unexpected problems. Things changed quickly, and alliances shifted. He had to keep changing his methods to reach his goals.

Through all these challenges, Bernstorff showed he was a very skilled statesman. He seemed to get even smarter when things were difficult. He believed that war should only be used for defense. Since Denmark was a smaller country, he always preferred to solve problems through negotiation (talking and making deals). He chose this even when a bold military move might have seemed easier.

The Seven Years' War

One of Bernstorff's first big challenges was the Seven Years' War. This was a major global conflict (1756-1763). He was determined to keep Denmark neutral, meaning not taking sides. He succeeded, even though Denmark had a treaty with Prussia and faced suspicions from Britain and Sweden.

He helped arrange the Convention of Klosterzeven in 1757. In 1758, he made an important treaty with France. Denmark agreed to keep an army of 24,000 soldiers in Holstein. This was to protect Hamburg, Lübeck, and the Gottorp part of Holstein. In return, France and Austria promised to help Denmark exchange lands with the Russian Czar regarding Holstein.

However, the war changed things. Austria backed out of its promise. This was to avoid upsetting the new Russian emperor, Czar Peter III. One of Peter III's first actions was to declare war on Denmark!

Bernstorff remained calm and firm. He declared that Denmark would defend Schleswig with all its might. He refused the Czar's insulting demands. He even put a top French general in charge of the Danish army. But just as the Russian and Danish armies were about to fight, news arrived in Copenhagen. Peter III had been overthrown by his wife, Catherine II.

After the War and Fall from Power

Bernstorff quickly realized that the French monarchy was weaker after the Seven Years' War. In 1763, he decided it was better to partner with Russia instead of France. This new alliance was made official with a treaty in 1765.

This treaty meant Denmark would work with Russia to support the current Swedish government. In return, Czarina Catherine II agreed to finally solve the Gottorp land issue. Russia would give up the Gottorp part of Holstein. In exchange, Denmark would give Russia the counties of Oldenburg and Delmenhorst. This exchange happened in the 1773 Treaty of Tsarskoye Selo. For his role in this important treaty, Bernstorff was given the title of count.

When Christian VII became king in 1766, Bernstorff's position became difficult. He faced many attacks. People accused him of using Denmark for his own gain and of promoting foreigners too much. It's interesting that even though Bernstorff led Denmark for 20 years, he never learned the Danish language.

His last big political act was to make Denmark even closer to Russia. This was through a treaty in 1769. A key part of this treaty said that if Sweden's government changed, Denmark and Russia would see it as a reason for war against Sweden. Also, if such a war happened, Denmark would keep any land it took from Sweden. This treaty turned out to be a mistake for Denmark later on.

Nine months later, on 13 September 1770, Bernstorff was removed from his position. This was due to the plots of Johann Friedrich Struensee. Catherine II offered him a great job in Russia, but he refused. He retired to his German estates. He passed away on 18 February 1772.