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In 2005 it will be a hundred years since the peaceful dissolution of the union between Norway and Sweden. This means that it is also a hundred years since Norway gained a voice of its own in the international community. On June 7th, the parliament voted to dissolve the union. On August 13th, the people elected to support independence.
An international event Starting in 1905, the rest of the world acknowledged that Norway could speak on its own behalf and was ready to take its place in the international community. Despite people’s fear of war and military
mobilization on both sides of the border, the union was dissolved peacefully after negotiations between the two countries.
Norway’s union with Sweden entailed that the King of Sweden was also the King of Norway, and that Sweden controlled Norwegian foreign policy. Norway’s independence had been largely determined through the Constitution of 1814. What finally led to the dissolution was disagreement on the issue of a separate Norwegian consular system.
Prince Carl of Denmark accepted the offer to become King of Norway, and adopted the name Haakon VII. The King arrived in Norway on 25 November 1905 together with his son Olav, the heir to the throne. Two days later he swore the oath to the Constitution in the parliament.
The events of 1905 had an international impact. After the union was dissolved, Norway was formally
recognized as an independent state and was able to establish diplomatic relations with other states. Starting in 1905,
Norway could speak with a voice of its own in the international community.
From:
a voice of our own
norway's centennial anniversary 1905-2005
Utenriksdepartementet