Union between Sweden and Norway
Norway, 1814–1905. Draft, not yet reviewed
Sweden and Norway, officially the United Kingdoms of Sweden and Norway, was a personal union of the separate kingdoms of Sweden and Norway under a common monarch and common foreign policy that lasted from 1814 until its peaceful dissolution in 1905. After the adoption of the new Constitution of Norway on 17 May 1814, Prince Christian Frederick was elected king. Continuing differences between the two realms led to a failed attempt to create a separate Norwegian consular service and then, on 7 June 1905, to a unilateral declaration of independence by the Storting. Sweden accepted the union's dissolution on 26 October.
Seat of power: Stockholm
Rulers
Charles XIII of Sweden
Monarch of Norway, 1814–1818
On 4 November the Storting elected Sweden's king, Charles XIII, as the King of Norway, thereby confirming the union. He was King of Sweden from 1809 and King of Norway from 1814 to his death.
Portrait of Charles XIII of Sweden: Carl Frederik von Breda, Public domain, file
Charles XIV John of Sweden
Monarch of Norway, 1818–1844
He was King of Sweden and Norway from 1818 until his death in 1844, and the first monarch of the Bernadotte dynasty. During the Napoleonic Wars, he had fought as a Marshal of France.
Portrait of Charles XIV John of Sweden: CarlsSston, CC0, file
Oscar I of Sweden
Monarch of Norway, 1844–1859
Throughout his reign he would pursue a liberal course in politics, instituting reforms and improving ties between Sweden and Norway. In an address to him in 1857, the Riksdag declared that he had promoted the material prosperity of the kingdom more than any of his predecessors.
Portrait of Oscar I of Sweden: Arvid Gottfrid Virgin, Public domain, file
Carl XV of Sweden
Monarch of Norway, 1859–1872
He was the third Swedish monarch from the House of Bernadotte, and the first one to be born in Sweden.
Portrait of Carl XV of Sweden: Mathias Hansen, Public domain, file
Oscar II of Sweden
Monarch of Norway, 1872–1905
His reign also saw the gradual decline of the Union of Sweden and Norway, which culminated in its dissolution in 1905. In 1905, the throne of Norway was transferred to his grandnephew Prince Carl of Denmark under the regnal name Haakon VII.
Portrait of Oscar II of Sweden: Lars Larsson, Public domain, file
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Culture
- The two states kept separate constitutions, laws, legislatures, administrations, state churches, armed forces, and currencies; the kings mostly resided in Stockholm, where foreign diplomatic representations were located.
- The Norwegian government was presided over by viceroys: Swedes until 1829, Norwegians until 1856.
- Foreign policy was conducted through the Swedish foreign ministry until the dissolution of the union in 1905.
- In 1898, all men were granted universal suffrage, followed by all women in 1913.
Picture
The Royal Palace in Oslo was built in the first half of the 19th century as the Norwegian residence of the French-born Charles XIV John, who reigned as king of Norway and Sweden.
Image: Andreas Haldorsen, CC BY-SA 4.0, file
Sources
- Union between Sweden and Norway (Wikipedia)
- Union between Sweden and Norway (Wikidata)
- About the picture (Wikipedia)
Text adapted from the Wikipedia articles listed as sources, CC BY-SA 4.0.