Between the 8th and 11th centuries, a tribe, known as the Vikings, ruled in Norway. Known as a warrior nation, the Vikings set up colonies in Britain, Iceland, Greenland and North America. In around 1000 years, Christian missionaries began to spread Christianity in Norway. King of Norway 1st Haakon accepted Christianity. In 1030 the Danish occupied Norway. Norway has become part of the North Sea Empire established by King Danish Knud.
In 1363 the King of Norway VI. Håkon, married the (I. Margrete) daughter of the Danish king and united the two countries.
Håkon was also acquainted with the Swedish royal family. In 1387, I. Margrete came to the throne. Under Margaret's rule, in 1397, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and the colonies merged and a large Scandinavian Empire was established under the name of the Kalmar Union.
Sweden left the Kalmar Union in 1521. Denmark and Norway continued to act together under the Danish-Norway till 1821.
Norway had to join Sweden after the Napoleonic Wars. In 1905 Sweden recognized the Norway independence. As a result of the 1905 referendum, King of Denmark VII. Frederik's son Karl was declared king of Norway.
Norway remained neutral in World War I. It was occupied by the Nazis in World War II. Norway was occupied until the surrender of Germany. Norway became a member of NATO in 1949. In the referendums held in 1972 and 1994, the Norway people rejected the membership of the European Union.
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