After German occupation, Denmark and the world saw each other very differently. Danes who were seen as weak and pacifist were now seen as politically and personally strong and nationalistic (Werstein 133). Denmark adopted a new outlook that called for protection of the country from any other occupation ever again. After occupation, 45,000 men in the underground army still lingered without having fought a battle. Many of these men stayed as Denmark increased its army and rebuilt its navy to well over the original 3000 soldiers and a small fleet (Thomas 309).
Denmark had no chance of returning to its pre-war policy of neutrality. Denmark turned to an era of alliances that would prevent another occupation. Denmark needed a base for a defensive system and extended international partnership and solidarity with the democratic west (Kjersgaard 403). Denmark joined the United Nations immediately after Liberation due to the efforts of the resistance portion of the government. Denmark tried to create a united Scandinavian alliance but that attempt failed. Denmark did gain its desired alliance when it entered the defensive alliance of the west called North Atlantic Trade Organization, as a means to gain alliance with the United States for protection as the threat of the expanding Communist Soviet Union was drawing closer. Denmark also entered into many economic unions such as the European Economic Community, and the European Free Trade Association. Finally, after 150 years of neutrality, Denmark gained the promise of aid in case of attack and promised to help other countries in the same situation (Kjersgaard 404-405).
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