Norwegian Flag With Coat of Arms
Norway origanally existed as several disjointed kingdoms, before unifying during the viking era. The era was one of expansion, with Norway establishing colonies all over the northern atlantic. However Norway declined rapidly as an international power as the black death wiped out nearly half of the Norwegian population. As a result of this the Norwegian royal family died out, and Norway joined an union with Denmark and Sweden which became the Kalmar Union. Norway remained in an union with Denmark for over four centures until 1814.
In 1814 Sweden forced Norway into a union with them, after several failed wars between Denmark-Norway and Sweden. Norway remained in the union until 1905 when Norway dissolved the union. The people of Norway decided by an overwhelming majority to form a monarchy instead of a republic, and Prince Carl of Denmark was chosen because of his ties to the British monarchy. He became Haakon VII, named for the medieval kings of Norway. In 1914 Norway claimed neutrality, however 1,892 Norwegian sailors lost their lives due the U-boat war. An increasingly anti-German sentiment grew, and Norway gave
Britian essential supplies, who in turn supplied Norway with coal.
In 1936 Germany was growing strong once more, Norway knew that one day europe would find itself at war again, consequently Norway began to re-arm to defend itself against German aggession, which would almost surely arise due to Norway's location, which would put britian in range of the Luftwaffe and the Kriegsmarine.