Norway History

Norway remained neutral during WW1 and attempted to do so during WW2 too, however it was of too great a strategic importance and was attacked by the Nazis in 1940. Following this King Hakon established an exile government in England and most of Norway's merchant fleet was put under the command of the Allies. Although occupied until the end of the war, there was an active resistance movement in place. The royal family returned in 1945.

Norway has been rather reluctant when it comes to forging close bonds with other European countries although it did join NATO in 1949 and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) in 1960. In 1972 and again in 1994 however, it voted against joining the EC (now EU).

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