Norway’s history starts around the 8th century when it is first mentioned in writing. The Viking era included the population of Island in the last part of 9th century.

Norway got christened during the 11th century and all the previously small kingdoms got united under Olav Haraldssons reign today known as Saint Olaf.

First Union

Norway was in its primetime in the mid 13th century when Greenland and Island recognized the Norwegian king as their ruler. When the plague hit Norway it was a catastrophically event since only half of Norway’s population survived.

Through several political disturbances in both Norway and Sweden in the late 14th century the Norwegian queen Margareta saw her chance and managed to become ruler of Sweden, Norway and Denmark and the union was a fact.

Union with Denmark

After Sweden manage to break free from the Union in 1523, Denmark’s grip of Norway got harder and in 1536 the Danish king declared that Norway was now in a union with Denmark and that the Norwegian council would be dissolved.

Norway lost big pieces of the country to Sweden in several peace treaties during the mid 17th century.

Good times

The 17th century became a time for prosperity in Norway with growth of trade and the population grew fast to almost outnumber the Danish. This caused the Danish king to take more interest in Norway’s economy. The naval trading fleet also grew tremendously.

Switched sides

During the Napoleon Wars, Denmark-Norway tried to stand neutral. But when United Kingdom demanded that the Danish fleet would be handed over, the crown prince refused and United Kingdom attacked Copenhagen which made Denmark to join sides with France in 1807. When the allied forces finally managed to defeat Napoleon in 1814, Denmark had to give over Norway to the king of Sweden in the peace treaty.

Union with Sweden

When the news of the dissolvent of the union reached Norway, the Danish crown prince tried to start an independence rebellion and was chosen King of Norway.

Sweden attacked Norway and the war lasted for 2 weeks before Sweden gained control of the country and the Norwegian king was forced to abdicate.

It was decided that the both countries would have one king and be allied in wars but otherwise Norway would be autonomous.

During the 19th century a lot of internal political changes led to the fact that Norway in 1905 managed to leave the union with Sweden in a peaceful matter.

War Times

Norway became neutral in WW I and declared its neutrality in WW II as well but was occupied by the German forces in 1940 until the end of the war 1945. The Germans wanted to get their hands on the natural resources that were found in Norway.

Post-War time

Norway became a member of United Nations when it was founded in 1945. In 1972 a referendum in Norway said No to entrance into the European Union and the same thing happened in 1994. At the end of the 60´s the first oil reserves was found.