The German Occupation of Denmark began on April 9, 1940, when Germany launched Operation Weserübung, invading both Denmark and Norway. Denmark was quickly overrun due to its small military and strategic location. The Danish government chose to cooperate with the Germans to maintain some degree of autonomy and minimize suffering for its citizens. During the occupation, Denmark was governed by a German military administration, but the Danish government continued to function. This cooperation allowed Denmark to avoid the harsher measures imposed on other occupied countries, although resistance movements began to form as the war progressed, leading to increased tensions and eventual crackdowns by the Germans.