Bernstorff, Johann Hartwig Ernst

Bernstorff, Johann Hartwig Ernst

(yōhän` härt`vĭkh bĕrns`tôrf), 1712–72, Danish politician, of German (Hanoverian) origin. As minister of foreign affairs (1751–70) under Frederick VFrederick V,
1723–66, king of Denmark and Norway (1746–66), son and successor of Christian VI. Frederick's reign was one of commercial expansion and prosperity. Loans, subsidies, and treaties aided industry, and a strong system of protection was introduced.
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 and Christian VII, he successfully kept Denmark at peace. In 1767 he negotiated with Russia a provisional treaty by which the Danish crown was to cede OldenburgOldenburg
, former state, NW Germany. It is now included in the state of Lower Saxony. The city of Oldenburg was the capital. The former state consisted of three widely separated divisions.
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 to Catherine II of Russia in exchange for ducal HolsteinHolstein,
former duchy, N central Germany, the part of Schleswig-Holstein S of the Eider River. Kiel and Rendsburg were the chief cities. For a description of Holstein and for its history after 1814, see Schleswig-Holstein.
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. In 1770, Christian VII, under the influence of StruenseeStruensee, Johann Friedrich
, 1737–72, Danish politician, b. Germany. As physician to Christian VII he gained complete mastery over the insane king and became the favorite of the young queen, Caroline Matilda.
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, dismissed Bernstorff.