Norway Report
...population of Norway were made up of no more than raiders and pirates, which would become known as Vikings. In is believed that it was Harald Fairhair who gathered the separate Vikings nations together and created a feudal state.
The people of Norway then began a time of great unification and expansion. Throughout their journeys they colonized areas such as Iceland, the Faroe Islands, Greenland and parts of the British Islands. They even attempted to settle at L'Anse aux Meadows in Newfoundland, Canada. This disproves the popular belief that it was Columbus who discovered North American. It was actually the Norwegian explorers who discovered it first.
In 1387, Norway entered a stage of disarray. This was a result of the black plague which had killed over half of the Norwegian population including their only heir to the throne. This lack of leadership sent chaos throughout Norway and as a result Norway was forced to join a union with the nation of Denmark.
Another turning point in Norwegian politics came along when Norway was forced into fighting in the Napoleon Wars with Denmark. After the war Norway was able to free itself from the grasps of Denmark and establish its own constitution. But, as a result it was forced into a part union with Sweden. Change came again in June 7, 1905 when Norway removed itself from the Union with Sweden. Still admiring the idea of monarchial ruler, the Norwegian government offered the throne to Danish Prince Carl. Norway has maintained this constitutional monarchy to this day.
When World War I occurred, Norway stayed fairly uninvolved by staying neutral to all parties. Unfortunately, this strategy failed them during World War II and as a result they were invaded by the German Nazis. Norway would be maintained by German rule for the next five years until they were forced to surrender on May 8, 1945.
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