Erik Scavenius
| Erik Scavenius | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Prime Minister of Denmark | |
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In office 9 November 1942 – 29 August 1943 |
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| Monarch | Christian X |
| Preceded by | Vilhelm Buhl |
| Succeeded by |
German military rule (next Prime Minister: Vilhelm Buhl) |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
13 July 1877 Klintholm, Møn |
| Died | 29 November 1962 (aged 85) Gentofte |
| Political party | Danish Social Liberal Party |
Erik Julius Christian Scavenius (Danish pronunciation: [sɡ̊aˈʋenjus]; 13 July 1877 – 29 November 1962) was the Danish foreign minister from 1909–1910, 1913–1920 and 1940–1943, and prime minister from 1942 to 1943, during the occupation of Denmark until the Danish elected government ceased to function. He was the foreign minister during some of the most important periods of Denmark's modern history, including the First World War, the plebiscites over the return of northern Schleswig to Denmark, and the German occupation. Scavenius was a member of the Landsting (the upper house of the Danish parliament before 1953) from 1918 to 1920 and from 1925 to 1927 representing the Social Liberal Party. He was chairman of its party organization from 1922 to 1924.
Scavenius belonged to a tradition of elitist governance that distrusted democratically elected politicians at a time when they were gaining power and influence, and he was frequently in conflict with more populist figures. He thought that many of these elected politicians were influenced by ignorant strains of populism and were ill-equipped to face the tough compromises and realities of governance. For example, during the negotiations over the return of territory to Denmark following the First World War, he advocated a more cautious approach than many more nationalistic figures. He believed that areas that were mostly German should stay in Germany.
His policy of accommodation and compromise toward the Nazi occupation authorities in Denmark during the Second World War is one of the enduring controversies of Danish history. Some see it as a necessary compromise to protect the Danish state and people, but others see it as unnecessarily accommodating of totalitarian Nazi Germany.
The Scavenius family belongs to the Danish Nobility. It was in the family tradition to work as a diplomat. Scavenius graduated in economics in 1901. Soon afterward, he became employed in the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He was a secretary at the Danish Embassy in Berlin from 1906 to 1908, a time forming his emphasis upon the primacy of Danish-German relations. Then, he became head of section in the ministry.
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