Christian August II, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Augustenburg

Who was Christian August II, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Augustenburg?

Christian August II, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Augustenburg, usually simply known by just his first name, Christian, Duke of Augustenborg, was a claimant of the rulership of the provinces of Slesvig and Holstein, and a fiefholder of Augustenborg and Sønderborg. He was a prince of the House of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Augustenburg and a cadet-line descendant of the Danish royal House of Oldenburg.

He was the eldest son and heir of Louise Auguste of Denmark and Frederik Christian II, Duke of Augustenborg. As such, he was close to succeed in the Danish throne. He was the brother-in-law of King Christian VIII and nephew of King Frederick VI.

In 1848, Schleswig-Holstein had broken out into open insurrection on German-nationalistic motives. A provisional government had been established at Kiel under the Duke of Augustenborg, who travelled to Berlin to secure the assistance of Prussia in asserting his rights. The First War of Schleswig ensued.

However, European powers were united in opposing any dismemberment of Denmark. Among others, Emperor Nicholas I of Russia, speaking with authority as Head of the elder Holstein-Gottorp line, regarded the Duke of Augustenborg a rebel. Russia had guaranteed Schleswig to the Danish crown by the treaties of 1767 and 1773.