Johann Hartwig Ernst Bernstorff , 1712-72, Danish politician, of German (Hanoverian) origin. As minister of foreign affairs (1751-70) under Frederick V 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 Oldenburg to Catherine II of Russia in exchange for ducal Holstein . In 1770, Christian VII, under the influence of Struensee , dismissed Bernstorff.
Author not available, BERNSTORFF, JOHANN HARTWIG ERNST.,
The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition 2008
The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. Copyright 2008 Columbia University Press
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