Sunday, November 4, 2007

Norway

As a result of the Napoleonic Wars, Norway, a part of the Danish Empire obtained in 1586, was lost to the Swedish empire, thus forming the Swedish-Norwegian union. This union lasted until 1905, when Norwegian sovereignty was recognized by the Swedes. There has always been some tension between Sweden and Norway, even in the post-colonial era of Europe. However, in recent years, the tension between the sovereign nation and it's former colonizer has basically ceased to be. According to an article from Afterposten.no, Sweden and Norway are combining forces as "Norwegian soldiers will... start serving under Swedish command." (Afterposten.no).
While it may seem like Norway might still be a colony of Sweden in the same sense that some see the United States attempting to make Iraq a colony, Norway has been able to establish their own form of government. Since their colonial days, Norway has taken a parliamentary form of democratic government, with a King as a respected figure head, much akin to England's democracy. In addition, their mark in world politics has been made, as Norway was one of the countries that signed the North Atlantic Treaty in 1949 and helped found the United Nations. Despite heavy involvement on the part of their former colonizer, Norway's actions have helped them become an integral part in our world.

WORKS CITED:
http://www.historyofnations.net/europe/norway.html
http://www.aftenposten.no/english/local/article1054446.ece

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