The episode distinguishes wars driven by bad actors, wars that remain tragic despite reasonable choices, and wars born of folly. Copenhagen is placed in the second category at the close. Britain considered its blockade, access to Baltic naval stores, and protection against a French-aligned coalition vital. Denmark-Norway risked war whether it chose Britain or the Franco-Russian side. Each state's acceptable outcome was intolerable to the other, leaving no workable compromise.
Notable Point · 0:03-0:37
When rational interests leave no compromise
Copenhagen shows how states pursuing understandable national interests can still reach war when no acceptable compromise remains.