In the early 20th century, there was an obscure political movement to unite the independent nations of Norway and Sweden into a single unified kingdom.
This intriguing idea was seriously considered by elites in both countries between 1905 and 1935, but ultimately failed to materialize.
If Norway and Sweden had successfully united into one kingdom in the early 20th century, it could have significantly changed the geopolitical landscape of Scandinavia and Europe.
And even changed the course and events leading up to World War 1 & therefore World War II as well.
Fascinating history, let’s dive in!
Norway Gains Independence
In 1905, after nearly 100 years in union, Norway gained independence from Sweden following a public referendum.
This separation was initially welcomed by Norwegian nationalists, who had long campaigned for sovereignty.
However, some Norwegian intellectuals and political theorists soon began to reconsider the benefits of remaining joined with Sweden in some form of federated partnership.
Advocates for Unification Emerge
Advocates argued that a union of Norway and Sweden would create a stronger, more influential Scandinavian state on the world stage.
Some Swedish elites hoped to regain influence over resource-rich Norway to reestablish Scandinavian dominance.
Meanwhile, some Norwegian elite theorists believed a larger shared kingdom could better defend against external threats from Russia or Germany.
The 1890s writings of Norwegian political scientist Rudolf Kjellén made an early case for Scandinavian political unity as a “natural” extension of shared historical, linguistic, and cultural ties.
These ideas would influence the unification movement in the early 20th century.
The Movement Gains Steam
In the 1910s and 1920s, the concept of Scandinavian unity gained traction among top politicians, military officers, academics, and business leaders in both countries. The press in Norway and Sweden also increasingly supported merging the countries in some form.
Influential lobbying groups like the Swedish-Norwegian Association pushed the idea in both countries.
One 1919 survey showed nearly 40% public support for full political and economic union.
Political Debate Ensues
Debate ensued over how a merged Norway-Sweden would be structured. Some proposed a federal system granting Norway autonomy, while others argued for a centralized government equally representing both groups.
The name of the hypothetical merged kingdom was also widely debated — proposals ranged from “The United Kingdoms of Scandinavia” to “The United Kingdoms of Norway and Sweden”.
Nationalist Opposition Mounts
However, Norwegian nationalists increasingly opposed the merger idea and wanted to keep full independence [13]. Labor unions and farmer organizations feared losing political influence in a combined state dominated by Swedish capital and elites.
Feminist groups like the Norwegian Association for Women’s Rights also condemned the unification movement as male-driven nationalism. Opposition politicians argued Norway’s national identity and democracy could be threatened.
This mounting opposition turned public opinion sharply against unification by the early 1930s.
Unification Efforts Abandoned
With little public appetite left for uniting the countries, the unification movement lost momentum. By 1935, it was politically unfeasible for elites to attempt merging the kingdoms.
With Norway committed to full sovereignty, Sweden abandoned its hopes for some form of union.
This intriguing “what if?” scenario of Scandinavian history gradually faded from public discourse.
The what-ifs
If Norway and Sweden had successfully united into one kingdom in the early 20th century, it could have changed the landscape of Europe and the world in the beginning of the 20th century.
A few what-if scenarios:
- A united Scandinavian kingdom would have been influential globally, with a larger combined economy, population, and military. It may have emerged as a third major power bloc along with Britain, France, and Germany.
- Sweden would have maintained direct political and economic influence over Norway, limiting Norway’s independence. However, Norway may have been granted autonomy in a federal system.
- With their shared interests merged, the unified nation could have pursued a more assertive foreign policy in the Baltic region to counter Russian influence. This may have altered the dynamics leading up to World War I.
- The additional territory and resources from Norway could have changed Sweden’s neutral stance during World War II. The unified nation may have been more willing to resist Nazi Germany’s expansionism.
- Post-war, the unified Scandinavia may have pursued closer economic and political integration with the rest of Europe earlier on, possibly joining the precursors to the EU sooner.
These are only a few possibilities with humongous implications for the world today.
The bottom line
While largely forgotten today, the early 2 movement to politically unite independent Norway and Sweden shows how history could have proceeded very differently.
The two separate kingdoms that we know today were not inevitable, but emerged after serious deliberation of alternative futures.
