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Erik Julius Christian Scavenius (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 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) during 1918–1920 and 1925–1927 representing the Social Liberal Party. He was chairman of its party organization from 1922–1924. 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. 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, while others see it as unnecessarily accommodating of totalitarian Nazi Germany. ==Biography== The Scavenius family belongs to the Danish Nobility. It was family tradition to work as a diplomat. Erik Scavenius graduated in economics in 1901. Soon after, he became employed in the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He was a secretary at the Danish Embassy in Berlin 1906–1908, a time forming his emphasis upon the primacy of Danish-German relations. Next, he became head of section in the ministry. He was an envoy to Vienna and Rome 1912–13 and to Stockholm 1924–32. From 1932 to 1940 he was chairman of the board of the major daily Politiken. Scavenius was the owner of a large estate 1915-1946. After 1945 he experienced marital and economic difficulties. The appointment of the only 32-year-old head of section Scavenius as minister of Foreign Affairs in the Social Liberal cabinet 1909–10 came as a surprise. He was reappointed when the party formed another cabinet 1913. During World War I he strongly put his efforts into the continuation of "the German course", a policy of keeping Denmark out of conflict with the neighbouring great power through adaptation of its demands. Among other things he supported giving in to the German demand to mine the Danish straits in August 1914. Scavenius was also an important figure as foreign minister during the negotiations surrounding the return of South Slesvig to Denmark following the war. Scavenius was one of the chief advocates of the Danish government's official position, advocating a return of only territories with clear Danish majorities. This was opposed to the more "maximalist" position which demanded a return of all previously Danish territories south to the "''Danevirke"''. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Erik Scavenius」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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