Bernstorff, Andreas Peter Von

Bernstorff, Andreas Peter Von

 

Born Aug. 28, 1735; died June 21, 1797. Danish statesman.

Bernstorff was Denmark’s minister of foreign affairs (1773–80 and 1784–97). He played a significant role in concluding an alliance pact with Russia and signed the treaty (1773) in which Russia renounced the rights to the Danish succession in Schleswig and upheld Denmark’s right to Gottorp in exchange for the counties of Oldenburg and Delmenhorst in northern Germany. In 1780, Bernstorff signed a declaration of armed neutrality, and he adhered to this policy until the beginning of Russia’s war against Sweden (1788–90).