Denmark and Norway both share a long entangled history together. Both countries also each had their own long road towards political democracy that was impacted by many factors included but not limited to social, economic and political changes. For nearly 300 years they shared a union together that spanned from 1524 to 1814. Their history to this point involved wars, reform and political instability. Their nearly 300 year long union ended due to the Napoleonic Wars that occured at the start of the 19th century in Europe. During the Napoleonic wars Crown Prince Frederick was Regent of Denmark. He supported social and economic reform that granted liberties and legal protection to the impoverished. Although this was a step in the right direction,
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In 1844 following the death of Karl XIV, liberal Johan Sverdrup was appointed leader of parliament. This laid the groundwork for a multiparty parliamentary system. In 1869 the Thrane Movement also encapsulated a sentiment of liberal reform through the country, with petitions of labor reform being sent to parliament. Nationalism through language, as well as art such as dioramas took hold of Norway also. A significant moment for their language was the creation of The Norwegian Vernacular around 1850. Dialects around Norway were collected and this strengthened the Norwegian identity. Norway’s nationalism grew when they impeached the government after the Swedish king vetoed a bill three times that would have him take place (or rather force him) to take part in their parliament. When the king failed to elect a new government, and Norway's parliament declared the Union between Norway and Finland as dissolved which the king later agreed to. Leading into the First World War, both Norway and Denmark remained neutral. They both continued their progressive ideologies and implemented Universal suffrage around the time of the war. It is clear through their history that they share parallels through politics, reforms, and ideals. They may have both taken a long road to get there, but they both eventually achieved political independence and democracy. Their forementioned ideals continue to the present day where parallels between the countries can still be
In 1844 following the death of Karl XIV, liberal Johan Sverdrup was appointed leader of parliament. This laid the groundwork for a multiparty parliamentary system. In 1869 the Thrane Movement also encapsulated a sentiment of liberal reform through the country, with petitions of labor reform being sent to parliament. Nationalism through language, as well as art such as dioramas took hold of Norway also. A significant moment for their language was the creation of The Norwegian Vernacular around 1850. Dialects around Norway were collected and this strengthened the Norwegian identity. Norway’s nationalism grew when they impeached the government after the Swedish king vetoed a bill three times that would have him take place (or rather force him) to take part in their parliament. When the king failed to elect a new government, and Norway's parliament declared the Union between Norway and Finland as dissolved which the king later agreed to. Leading into the First World War, both Norway and Denmark remained neutral. They both continued their progressive ideologies and implemented Universal suffrage around the time of the war. It is clear through their history that they share parallels through politics, reforms, and ideals. They may have both taken a long road to get there, but they both eventually achieved political independence and democracy. Their forementioned ideals continue to the present day where parallels between the countries can still be