Norway Separates from Sweden
The separation of Norway from Sweden on June 7, 1905, marks a significant moment in Scandinavian history. Norway had been in a union with Sweden since the Treaty of Kiel in 1814, following its cession from Denmark amidst the Napoleonic Wars. Initially, this arrangement granted Norway a degree of self-governance, but over time, Norwegian discontent grew due to perceived Swedish dominance, particularly regarding trade and diplomatic representation. The desire for full independence culminated in Norway's declaration of independence, which was met with near-universal support from the Norwegian populace in a subsequent referendum. Despite tensions that nearly escalated into conflict, Sweden ultimately recognized Norway's independence on October 27, 1905. Following this, Danish prince Haakon VII was crowned as Norway's new king. This event not only reshaped the political landscape of the region but also laid the groundwork for Norway's identity as a sovereign nation. Understanding this historical context provides insight into the dynamics of nationalism and self-determination in Europe during the early 20th century.
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Norway Separates from Sweden
Norway Separates from Sweden
The modern-day Kingdom of Norway separated from Sweden, with which it previously had been united as a dual kingdom under one monarch, on June 7, 1905. This action was taken by declaration of the Storting, the Norwegian parliamentary assembly.
Norway had been united with Sweden since the Treaty of Kiel in 1814. Denmark had ruled the land for centuries, but during the Napoleonic Wars the Danes were allied to France, which lost the conflict. Denmark was forced to cede Norway to Sweden, but the Norwegians fought this arrangement and wrote their own constitution. Sweden invaded Norway in order to enforce the Treaty of Kiel, but then granted the Norwegians a considerable degree of self-government. The monarch of Sweden would henceforth also be the monarch of Norway, and Sweden with its larger population dominated the dual kingship. In the late 19th century, the Norwegians began to chafe under Swedish control, aggrieved by such matters as Sweden's dominion over the rapidly growing Norwegian merchant fleet and the exclusion of Norwegians from the diplomatic service.
After Norway declared independence in 1905, war nearly broke out between the two countries. It was agreed that a Norwegian referendum on separation from Sweden would be held to gauge popular support. The result was stunning: Nearly 100 percent of the Norwegian voters approved of independence. On October 27, 1905, Sweden conceded defeat and withdrew its opposition. Danish prince Haakon VII became the new king of Norway.