Berlin-Denmark Diplomacy: Neighbors, Yet So Far

Denmark and Germany share a border in the Schleswig region, with the modern northern outskirts of Germany having been part of Denmark in the Middle Ages. The two countries have a history of conflict, including the German-Danish War of 974, and wars between 1361-1370 and 1426-1435. However, they are now both members of NATO and the European Union, and have a positive relationship with cross-border cooperation. Berlin, Germany's capital, is 254 miles from Copenhagen, Denmark, and the two cities are connected by bus, train, plane, car, and ferry services.

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Germany's role in diplomacy between Denmark and Berlin

Denmark and Germany share a border in the Schleswig region, which has changed several times throughout history, with the modern border being established by referendums in 1920. The two nations have had a complex relationship, with several military clashes, including the German-Danish War of 974, and wars between Denmark and the German-dominated Hanseatic League in the 1300s and 1400s. Denmark and Germany have also formed alliances, such as during the Wendish Crusade of 1147 and the Third Crusade of 1189-1192.

Today, Denmark and Germany are members of NATO and the European Union, and they continue to cooperate on various initiatives. They have a joint commitment to improving cross-border mobility and cooperation, particularly regarding rail transport and the green transition. Denmark and Germany also collaborate on foreign policy, security policy, and international development issues, including climate diplomacy and energy security in the Baltic Sea region.

Additionally, Germany's strategic location adjacent to Denmark influences their diplomatic dynamics. For example, in the context of the board game "Diplomacy," Germany's position in relation to Denmark affects gameplay and alliance-building. Germany's fleet placement in Denmark can provide leverage against Russia, showcasing the interconnected nature of their diplomatic strategies.

Denmark and Berlin's shared borders

Berlin and Denmark do not share a border. Denmark does, however, share a common border with Germany, of which Berlin is the capital. Kiel, a coastal territory controlled by Germany, is bordered by Denmark.

Berlin is the capital and largest city of Germany. It is located in northeastern Germany, in an area known as the Berlin-Brandenburg Metropolitan Region. The city lies in a wide glacial valley, along the River Spree, a tributary of the River Havel, which flows from north to south through the central district of the city.

Denmark, on the other hand, is a country in Northern Europe, bordered by Germany to the south on the Jutland peninsula and by the Baltic Sea and the North Sea. The Kingdom of Denmark comprises Denmark and two autonomous territories in the North Atlantic Ocean: the Faroe Islands and Greenland. Denmark proper is often referred to as "mainland Denmark" to distinguish it from the autonomous territories.

While Berlin and Denmark do not share a direct border, they are connected through their shared border with Germany. Berlin, as the capital and cultural centre of Germany, has significant diplomatic relations with neighbouring countries, including Denmark.

The border between Germany and Denmark has a unique history. The modern border was established after the Second Schleswig War in 1864, which resulted in the Duchy of Schleswig being divided between the two nations. The border has remained largely unchanged since then, with the exception of a small adjustment in 1920 when a referendum transferred the northern part of Schleswig to Danish control. This border area is known for its cultural and linguistic diversity, with German and Danish influences intertwining and shaping the region's unique character.

Diplomacy gameplay rules

Diplomacy is a strategic board game created by Allan B. Calhamer in 1954 and commercially released in the United States in 1959. The game is set in Europe in the years leading up to World War I, and players represent one of the Great Powers of the time: England, Germany, Russia, Turkey, Austria-Hungary, Italy, and France. The game is designed for 2-7 players, with each player controlling the armed forces of a major European power (or multiple powers if there are fewer players).

Objective

The objective of the game is to use your armies and fleets to conquer as much of Europe as possible. To win, a player must capture and possess at least 18 of the 34 nations or provinces on the map that contain supply centers at the end of a year. Supply centers allow players who control them to produce more units. The game often ends in a multi-way draw, which is typically agreed upon by all players or declared after a pre-set time limit.

Gameplay Mechanics

Diplomacy differs from other wargames in its negotiation phases and the absence of random elements like dice or cards. Each military unit has the same strength, and players spend time forming and betraying alliances, as well as devising beneficial strategies. There are no turns; instead, players secretly write down their moves after a negotiation period, and all moves are then revealed and executed simultaneously.

There are four basic orders in the game: Hold, Attack, Support, and Convoy. At each movement phase, players can order units to hold their position, attack another province, or support another unit. Fleets can also convoy armies across bodies of water to coastal provinces. All units can only move one space at a time, and each space can only be occupied by one unit. An exception is a successful convoy, where a convoyed army may travel multiple spaces depending on the length of the chain.

Diplomacy Phase

Before each movement phase, there is a 30-minute diplomacy period (15 minutes for subsequent turns) where players can interact and form alliances. Players usually go to separate areas to discuss and plan, keeping the content of their conversations secret. They may engage in bargaining, joint military planning, exchanging information, denouncing, threatening, or spreading rumors.

Retreats

After conflicts are resolved and moves are made, any dislodged units must retreat to an adjacent space suitable for an army or fleet. A unit cannot retreat to an occupied space, the space its attacker came from, or a space left vacant due to a standoff. If no retreat space is available, the unit is disbanded and removed from the board.

Variants

Several commercially published board games and fan-made variants of Diplomacy exist, using altered rules and maps. Some variants are designed for a different number of players, such as eliminating Italy or Germany for 5 or 6 players.

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Diplomacy players and their roles

Diplomacy is a strategy board game invented by Allan B. Calhamer, a Harvard University undergraduate, in the 1950s. The game is set on a simplified map of Europe in 1901, at the height of the rivalry among the great imperial powers of England, France, Germany, Italy, Austria-Hungary, Russia, and Ottoman Turkey, which would eventually lead to World War I. The game is played with two to seven players, each representing one of the Great Powers. At the start of the game, players draw lots to determine which power they will represent, and this is the only element of chance in the game.

Diplomacy proceeds by seasons, with each year divided into "Spring" and "Fall" moves. Each season is further divided into negotiation and movement phases, followed by retreat or disband adjustments. In the negotiation phase, players discuss tactics, form alliances, and share intelligence or spread disinformation. Players are not bound to anything they say or promise, and no agreements are enforceable. Communication and trust are vital; players must forge alliances and observe their actions to evaluate their trustworthiness while also planning to turn against their allies when the time is right.

During the game, players secretly write down their moves after the negotiation period, and then all moves are revealed and put into effect simultaneously. The game focuses more on player interaction than on the board pieces, and players must communicate and interact with others to be successful.

The goal of the game is for one of the Great Powers to gain control of 18 or more of the 34 supply centers on the board, which are marked with black dots. Once a player achieves this, they are declared the winner, having gained "control of Europe." Players who have lost all their home centers may not build new units, and those controlling no supply centers are eliminated from the game.

Diplomacy game duration

Diplomacy is a complex, strategy-based board game that can take a long time to complete. The game is set in Europe in 1901, leading up to World War 1, and is designed for 2-7 players aged 12 and over. It is a slow-paced game that involves players negotiating, making deals, and forming alliances with one another.

The length of a game of Diplomacy can vary, with some sources stating that a game can last anywhere from 4 to 8 hours. The "official" answer is said to be 6 hours, with the game typically lasting until 1910-1912, which equates to around 20-24 turns. Each turn can take around 15 minutes, factoring in negotiating time, order writing time, adjudication, retreats, and builds.

The length of the game can be influenced by several factors, such as the experience of the players, the complexity of the strategies employed, and the time spent on negotiations. Some players choose to set a time limit on each turn to keep the game moving, although this can impact the social and diplomatic aspects of the game.

Diplomacy was created in 1954 by Allan B. Calhamer and released commercially in 1959. It has been published by several companies, including Games Research, Avalon Hill, and Hasbro, and has developed a dedicated fan base over the years. The game is known for its intricate strategy and complex social interactions, making it a challenging and time-consuming endeavour for players.

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