Who are we?

I never really dug deep enough I suppose,
or was not ready for the truth or
too worried about insignificantia to
investigate further.
I accepted the notion my Great Great Grandfather
was Prussian by heritage and left Prussia circa 1848...
to avoid mandatory service in the military as he was a farmer.
Actually, he was a Dane who lived in an area destined to become part of Germany.
He avoided service
to keep from killing his brothers
what kind of feeling did he harbor?
how did he cope with the news his people were slaughtered for land?
Power?
why were we calling ourselves german? How did that evolve?
several article links on history:


http://www.fortress-scandinavia.dk/Slesvigske-krige/ENG/index.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Schleswig_War