Norway

A history of Norway from ancient times to the 1814 constitution. The Treaty of Kiel in 1814 transferred Norway to Sweden without Norwegian consent.

The Norse people settled in Norway's rugged terrain where harsh winters and fertile valleys shaped their independent spirit. For centuries, they resisted foreign rule while developing a unique political culture that valued freedom and self-governance. When King Frederick VI of Denmark transferred Norway to Sweden in 1814 without consulting Norwegians, the people rose up to claim their right to self-determination. A constitutional assembly convened at Eidsvold, drafting a constitution that established Norway as a free nation. The new nation faced immediate threats from Sweden, but its determination to defend its sovereignty forged a path toward independence that would shape its future.