Covers the 7 June 1905 Storting declaration, the 13 August 1905 referendum, the Karlstad negotiations and their terms, Sweden's recognition of Norwegian independence on 26 October 1905, and the November 1905 referendum and selection of King Haakon VII. It does not cover the decades-long pre-1905 consular dispute in detail.
Norway and Sweden had been joined in a personal union since 1814. Following a dispute over separate Norwegian consular representation, and King Oscar II's refusal to accept the Michelsen government's resignation, the Storting declared on 7 June 1905 that the King had ceased to function as King of Norway, thereby asserting that the union was dissolved.[1] A referendum held on 13 August 1905 confirmed the decision by what the Storting describes as "an overwhelming majority," recorded by EBSCO Research Starters as 368,208 votes in favour to 184 against.[1][2] Norwegian and Swedish delegations negotiated at Karlstad from 31 August to 23 September 1905, agreeing a convention that established a demilitarised neutral border zone, required the demolition of Norwegian border fortresses, and provided for duty-free transit of goods and Sami reindeer migration rights.[3] Sweden formally recognised Norwegian independence on 26 October 1905.[4] A further referendum on 12-13 November 1905 decided in favour of retaining a monarchy (259,563 to 69,264), and Prince Carl of Denmark, who had insisted on that referendum, accepted the Storting's offer of the throne on 18 November, becoming King Haakon VII.[5]
Status verified as of
Norway has been an independent, sovereign state since 1905.[4]
History
From the Storting's 7 June 1905 Declaration, through an overwhelming referendum, to Sweden's recognition of Norwegian independence that October.
208 words · 1 min read
· Declaration
The Storting declared that King Oscar II had ceased to function as King of Norway, thereby asserting that the personal union with Sweden was dissolved, a position confirmed by referendum that August.
Significance here: The Storting's declaration that began the dissolution of the union with Sweden.
· Agreement
Following negotiations at Karlstad, Sweden recognised Norwegian independence on 26 October 1905, formally dissolving the union.
Significance here: The formal, negotiated end of the union between Norway and Sweden.
· Referendum or popular consultation
A referendum on 12-13 November 1905 decided Norway's form of government by 259,563 votes for a monarchy to 69,264 for a republic; Prince Carl of Denmark had insisted on this referendum before he would accept the throne, and he was formally offered it on 18 November, becoming King Haakon VII.
Significance here: Settled Norway's form of government and led directly to the selection of its first independent monarch since 1387.
Each number marks a specific claim. Notes give the source, its locator and how it relates to the claim.
Claim: Following King Oscar II's refusal to accept the Michelsen government's resignation, the Storting resolved on 7 June 1905 that "since the King was unable to form a new Norwegian government, he had ceased to act as the Norwegian King." Sweden demanded a referendum, which produced "an overwhelming majority in favour of this decision."
Claim: The 13 August 1905 Norwegian referendum on dissolving the union with Sweden produced 368,208 votes in favour of dissolution and 184 against.
Claim: Norwegian and Swedish delegations negotiated at Karlstad from 31 August to 23 September 1905, with Karl Staaff among the negotiators; the resulting convention established a demilitarised neutral zone along the border, required the demolition of Norwegian border fortresses, provided for duty-free transit of goods between the two countries, and confirmed the rights of Sami reindeer migration across the border.
Claim: Following negotiations at Karlstad, Sweden recognised Norwegian independence on 26 October 1905; shortly afterward, the Danish prince Carl was chosen as the new King of Norway and took the name Haakon VII.
Claim: Prince Carl of Denmark insisted that Norwegians be given a choice on the country's future form of government before he would accept the Storting's offer of the throne. A referendum held on 12-13 November 1905 produced 259,563 votes for retaining a monarchy against 69,264 for a republic. The Storting formally offered the throne to Carl on 18 November 1905; he accepted, taking the name Haakon VII, and the royal family arrived in Norway on 25 November, becoming the country's first independent monarch since Olav IV in 1387.