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The European Business Handbook for Young ... - MCAST

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Norway<br />

<strong>The</strong> Country<br />

Historical Background: <strong>The</strong> Viking period (9th to 11th centuries) was<br />

one of national unification and expansion in Norway. <strong>The</strong> Norwegian<br />

royal line died out in 1387, and the country entered a period of union<br />

with Denmark. By 1586, Norway had become part of the Danish<br />

Kingdom. In 1814, as a result of the Napoleonic wars, Norway was<br />

separated from Denmark and combined with Sweden. <strong>The</strong> union persisted<br />

until 1905, when Sweden recognised Norwegian independence.<br />

<strong>The</strong> Norwegian Government offered the throne of Norway to Danish<br />

Prince Carl in 1905. <strong>The</strong> Parliament unanimously elected him king. He<br />

took the name of Haakon VII, after the kings of independent Norway.<br />

Haakon died in 1957 and was succeeded by his son, Olav V, who<br />

died in January 1991. Upon Olav’s death, his son Harald was crowned<br />

as King Harald V.<br />

Norway was neutral during World War I, but as a result of the German<br />

invasion and occupation during World War II, Norwegians turned<br />

instead to collective security. Norway was one of the signers of the<br />

North Atlantic Treaty in 1949 and was a founding member of the<br />

United Nations.<br />

Photo: R.M.Sørensen/visitflam.com<br />

23<br />

Culture

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