Why did Sweden and Norway Break Up? (Short Animated Documentary)

Sometimes countries break up, like Britain and Ireland, Britain and America or Britain and most other places. And one such major break up was when Norway and Sweden went their own way in 1905. But what caused this split? Why did the two break up? To find out watch this short and simple animated history documentary.
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[@Neliporto]

"Especially when your ex goes on to become a wealthy petrostate" Absolutely cracked me up

[@brandonlyon730]

Or in the case of Singapore, become one of the world's most important trading hubs.

[@Rockbagaren]

We can all guess who won that breakup.. - salty swede

[@andrew7taylor]

@@brandonlyon730 Singapore simply because of where it is controls the Strait of Malacca (which name is hilarious in Greek). Which is where almost all of the trade goes through between East Asia and the rest of the world. Singapore couldn't have avoided being an economic power.

[@seneca983]

@@night6724 Based on short googling the British Empire.

[@kamakiller1145]

Imagine the ottoman empire but with all the gulf states oil The ottoman sultan would have been the richest man on earth

[@SleepingCube]

"The Prince of Denmark called Christian because of course he was" Thats a great line

[@kurniaerfan7307]

just like Louis as French King or Karl as Swedish King

[@seneca983]

Surely he should be named Hamlet which is absolutely a very traditional Danish name.

[@JanHgh]

Wanna take a wild guess at the name of the heir to the Danish throne?

[@MultiEpique]

Alternatively it could have been a Frederik.

[@MrSuckymcsuck]

@@MultiEpique His full name was actually Christian Frederik but he shortened it when he became king.

[@scottadler]

The Norwegians really love their kings. I read a story about a woman who told her friends that her bus-friend looked a lot like the king. They rode together every day to work and talked about this and that. Turned out that he really was the king, but didn't like to make a fuss about it.

[@gonebytrain]

The king even got mad at the tram conductor when he was exposed. Not because he got exposed, but because the conductor didn’t want to take payment from the king, but this pissed him off. Especially since Norway was in the middle of an economic crisis. Very fair and righteous.

[@DanielLavedoniodeLima_DLL]

But this raises a question for me. If the kings from Norway like to be treated as normal citizens, why not have a republic then?

[@gonebytrain]

@@DanielLavedoniodeLima_DLL a prime ministers job is to lead a country, a royals job is to represent it. A president has to do both. I feel like a person consumed with protecting their image could have a hard time leading a country. Also for good or bad, a royal is trained from a young age on how to represent a country and their image, and we have seen some questionable presidents defining the country by their actions.

[@goese868]

@@gonebytrain still, a monarchy of any kind is still sort of outdated

[@gonebytrain]

@@goese868 after these last years with crazy presidents have in every direction I think the monarchy still got some time in this modern era

[@bengtmowitz5012]

A strange fact is that there were a demilitary zone of 1km on both sides of the border between Sweden and Norway which was canceled as late as 1993! So in reality it was only a cease fire agreement that took place in Karlstad Sweden in 1905! I experienced this myself as a professional officer in the Regiment of I17 placed in the town of Uddevalla at the Westcoast of Sweden. We had tactical exercises at the border, however in civilian clothes and of course unarmed. We also informed both the Norwegian and Swedish border police and the Norwegian military about the exercises.

[@looinrims]

Tactical exercises in civvies and unarmed…sounds pointless and stupid

[@bengtmowitz5012]

@@looinrims Due to prohibit to wear guns and uniforms, this was the only way to evaluate the terrain etc. Check out peacetime prepared channels/ tunnels for demolition. So it definitely had it's purpose. A civilian, as I assume you are in general very little knowledge about is prepared in peacetime.

[@looinrims]

@@bengtmowitz5012 so you’re evaluating terrain without even the ability to see if your uniform camouflages into it No guy, I can’t say it’s because I don’t know x amount, I think I can safely say it’s a bit silly unless you’re in a non combat unit to begin with, which then…I disagree but fine

[@bengtmowitz5012]

@@looinrims Uniform and weapons is not necessary when you doing a tactical and/or Strategies evaluation, in fact rather commonly used, when you do not want to draw attention to an object a specific objective.

[@estefencosta1835]

Tell the truth, did you and the Swedes ever hold a boxing match or something to determine the winner of the "war."

[@fanbuoy9234]

"Hey, we're finally our own country, after being ruled by Denmark for 500 years and Sweden for 100!" "Cool, so who should rule us then?" "I dunno, a Dane?" "Fair enough."

[@TheSlyngel]

Monarchy is funny that way

[@jeandehuit5385]

It's not exactly like there were any local options.

[@andrewwotherspoona5722]

This is how Scotland feels with England. Time for a divorce.

[@jeandehuit5385]

@@andrewwotherspoona5722 And I pity Scotland if they decide to go through with it. Don't get me wrong, I'm a remainer at heart and I'll fully admit that the British government & media (largely based in England) is corrupt and stupid. Scotland has been dealt a lot of bad hands over the centuries (and some good ones too, which are too-often forgotten) and the referendum was certainly one of them. Being cheated & lied to by your politicians & then being forced to accept a bitter economic hit because of it is rough. At the same time, though, I can't help but think the narrative Scotland will be all sunshine & rainbows if they decide to leave is as nonsensical as the Brexiter arguments are. Scotland's biggest trade partner is with England. They're a tiny, geographically isolated country without much in the way of (non-oil) natural resources. I'd love to be wrong, but I have a feeling that if Scotland leaves, it'll just end up being more of the same woes brought on by Brexit only slightly worse. Whether the Scots feels that's worth it for the price of independence, that's on them. But I think the SNP shouldn't sugercoat the situation.

[@andrewwotherspoona5722]

@@jeandehuit5385 Hi Jean, I don't want you think I'm pro independence for Scotland. I am too pragmatic. I'd much rather remain in the UK. However, my feeling is that Scotland couldn't do much worse than England at running the Scottish economy. I think no matter what there needs a unified defense policy. Maybe some form of Devomax and Scotland having full taxation control over oil, gas and renewable energy. You are incorrect though regarding resources. It is the only part of the UK with food self sufficiency. They need to want to remain a part of the UK otherwise it just isn't going to work longterm. When Scotland joined the union it was very backward, but that simply isn't the case today. Out exporting England 2:1, 4th financial capital of Europe. Edinburgh has the 19th best University on the planet and with 3 more in the top 150. It'll certainly not grow any poorer (although that is relative as it is still quite a rich country). However, my feeling is that London will in the future truly dethrone New York (since the US I feel is a declining power...certainly compared to China), as the worlds financial capital and so the UK as a whole could prosper....the latter option for Scotland mean how ever greater handouts from Westminster and even more cries of we're supporting the Scots....which I personally would object to. Westminster will grow tired of providing "handouts" from a London which will just be nothing more than a corporate casino for all the worlds corrupt kleptocrats, oligarchs, tax evading company HQs.

[@DaisyGeekyTransGirl]

Gotta love how the Swedish people were actually willing to stand with Norway when they felt their government was being unreasonable. And this was in 1905 no less.

[@TullaRask]

It's rather interesting because I as a Norwegian has not heard that argument before. The military powers of Norway and Sweden was fairly close in 1905 and Norway was a sea nation and could attack the Swedes by sea if they chose to attack by land. I've heard that the military oinSweden thought the battle would be very even and they could not predict the outcome. Being a Norwegian with the historic knowledge we have of the Swedes, the Swedish King and nobles listening to the Swedish people sound like a joke. It must be a later story they have invented for themselves to make the loss more acceptable in modern terms. Norway had a democratic tradition from 1814 at that time. We would have listened to the people, the Swedes did not have the same traditions. They have had a democracy since 1920 according to google. After this event.

[@jeremiemarion3966]

Really nice to prove once again people are less stupid than their rulers only obsessed with power grab. Great humankind moment right there :)

[@DaDunge]

@@TullaRask You vastly overestimate Norway's military power. And that's full and equal democracy, Sweden had a weighted democracy for centuries before that. What happened in 1920 was female suffrage. Also we're a Nordic country we have a general estates parliament stretching back to before recorded history just like all Nordic countries do. In the Nordic countries the nobles were never as high nor the peasants as low as on the continent. Denmark-Norway had a bit more of the continental mindset during it's union because Denmark had lots of influence from the continent.

[@ertert4tetert]

It's very likely much more complicated than that.

[@TullaRask]

@@DaDunge Nah. I've seen a list of the forces on each side. It was fairly even. Also a Swedish military historian has said so. We didn't have nobles in Norway at that time remember ;)

[@davea4245]

Ironically, I'm drinking my coffee from a mug my wife had found for me a few Christmases ago. It a "Norwegian Levels of Anger" Starting with Mild Irritation the list continue with Indignation, Wrath, Fury and Rage with the final line being, When Someone Thinks You're Swedish.

[@rolfb1347]

OMG where can I obtain this factually accurate coffee mug? I must have it...

[@bwenzin]

All norwegians are swedish subjects

[@YouTubeisgettingworse.]

@@bwenzin Tja.. Tror ikke mange Nordmenn er enige med det.

[@bwenzin]

@@KZbinisgettingworse. They don't need to. A new era is coming, Norway will once again be a part of the swedish kingdom 😘

[@bwenzin]

@engineer gaming Korrekt. Finland är en provins till kungariket Sverige. Fast egentligen är det mest en buffertzon.

[@larrypowers2515]

I love how you stuck the Swedish Chef in there at 3:05

[@javierpatag3609]

It's nice to see the Swedish Chef taking an active role in his country's politics.

[@Dyknown]

Now we have to ask if there’s a Norwegian chef!

[@HakunaMatata-os1og]

@@Dyknown 3:05 I like how HM snuck the Swedish Chef in there. Fun tangent: I have a few Swedish friends who insist that the Swedish Chef sounds Norwegian, and not Swedish at all. And they take offense to that character being referred to as Swedish. Unfortunately, I have no Norwegian friends who can give their opinion, either to confirm or deny.

[@LasVegar]

@@Dyknown Eivind hellstrøm

[@Razendle]

@@HakunaMatata-os1og Norwegian here. The Swedish Chef speaks mostly gibberish, snd I can’t personally make any sense out of it. Your Swedish friend most likely joked about it being Norwegian because gibberish is what us scandinavian describe other scandinavian languages (danish in particular :P) I hope this clarified :)

[@gonzoducks8]

@Hakuna Matata I have a German friend who argues that the Swedish Chef is the Danish Chef because that's how he was presented in Germany. I've let her know that she's been lied to her entire life.

[@theskepticalwhaler4946]

>And the Swedish responded with a well formulated logical argument, "No and if you keep asking, we're going to invade." Hard to argue with such hard hitting logic.

[@makarabaduk1754]

Surprisingly effective in Mathematical Analysis examinations too...

[@POCLEE]

Can't argue with Ultima Ratio Regum.

[@gnaskar]

Well, it was hard to argue without first spending decades on a military buildup, anyway.

[@TullaRask]

Norway responded by spending decades on military buildup. Also the world had moved on. The Swedes couldn't just invade without social and international repercussions. So they accepted the constitution Norwegians had made while European major powers had been negotiating in Versailles. The constitution served us well, and is still mainly in use. It was based on the French and US constitutions and such did a good job, even if we had to insert the Swedish King some places.

[@aratirao9007]

🟢 SERCH ADITYA RATHORE-HE ALSO MAKES INFORMATIVE CONTENT LIKE HISTORY MATTERS

[@gwho]

This channel really packs a lot of history into a short video. I walk away knowing actually a lot of history, unlike a lot of other history channels who go so deep into one tiny slice of history

[@xymos7807]

Its better to hammer out the major points and leave it up to you for the in between.

[@scintillam_dei]

But you still know only superficial mainstream PG Disneyesque history.

I absolutely love the animation, so simple and entertaining.

[@natherahmed8729]

Fun fact: in that picture where a Norwegian soldier is in a bunker. There is a "made in albania" on the bunker as a reference to his video about why albania sided with china months ago where he said the leader of albania had built a billion defense bunkers 😅😅

[@livinglifeform7974]

It's not a reference to the video, Albanian & Hoxha have always been known for bunkers ever since that latter built hundreds of thousands of them. It's a well known meme.

[@skeletonjanitor]

saddam

[@Protostarofficial]

Its a reference to real life not a video

[@somerandomguywithinternet7979]

Albania would've been better off without the bunkers and instead focusing on the overhaul military and infrastructure. That's also what Enver Hoxhas generals told him. But spoiler alert: He killed them all off.

[@somerandomguywithinternet7979]

@Sun Tzu Përshëndetje fellow Shqip.

[@yellowbudd9344]

An interesting note. One of the many reasons Norway wanted separate foreign and trade policy was because Norway had one of the largest merchant fleets in the world (far larger than Sweden, a country with twice the population of Norway). Norway was much poorer at that time so using the merchant fleet to trade between other countries was a great way for the country to gain foreign currency. As you can imagine if your country had a far larger fleet and divergent trade interest compared to Sweden, having your foreign and trade policy being run by Swedes in Stockholm was rather impractical.

[@ronaldderooij1774]

I recognise a lot. Comparable situation between Belgium and the Netherlands. Belgium being industrial economy wanting protectionism, the Netherlands, trading economy, wanting free trade. The Netherlands' religion being protestant, Belgium catholic and 2nd class citizens therefore. Another thing was the language, 30 % of Belgians and the ruling elite spoke French. The Dutch spoke Dutch and wanted everybody to speak Dutch. Consequence: break up, althouth we did go to war for 10 days in 1830.

[@vladescu3g]

For someone who cant formulate a proper comment you are for sure knowing about trade policies

[@abdiabdi3225]

@@vladescu3g what do you mean it is perfectly understandable.

[@bluerisk]

"We didn't sack your village, we just created new business opportunities." -Viking warlord- Norwegian ambassador for trade relations

[@doncarlodivargas5497]

I think also Swedes and Norwegians have a different personality, in the old days, not many Norwegians lived in Sweden, while thousands of Swedes lived in Norway, we in Norway like to be independent, not be told what to think and in general be pushed around

[@carlosenriquecastellanoizq7724]

Good, informative, well done, and short 🙏🏼 thank you. Most videos on KZbin are pushed to last to long around 8 to 12 mins to hit the algorithm. So thank you for making them short 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@Mantra_Slaymore1]

As a norwegian, I will say that no matter the reason, I am glad we broke up. I wish my brothers and sister in Sweden a quick recovery though.

[@scintillam_dei]

As a creationist like Vikings, I have to say that they would go berserk if they saw modern Scandies go liberal, atheistic, gay and feminazi, so insane they import Islam.

[@jessicajohnson2412]

Hahaha We recovered just fine haha

[@startmunnen]

I'm still crying at night but hopefully I'll get over it soon... *looks around for the little black book to find Finlands phone number

[@studentstudent5044]

Dude your country has been nothing since you got your independence

[@Erik-ij5jb]

As a Swede, I was we could share that oil. But we’ve both done well enough anyways 😀

[@mataya-waldenberg]

"The Swedish king wasn't doing much because of a heart attack." Cracking up.

[@billhanna2148]

Supreme touch

[@mikepitcher2310]

*thud*

[@Captain-Axeman]

Also, they were struggling finding a heir for a long time, because for some reasson most of them dended too die.

[@nikel-]

The only attack he did

[@aratirao9007]

🔺 SERCH ADITYA RATHORE-HE ALSO MAKES INFORMATIVE CONTENT LIKE HISTORY MATTERS

[@PhantomFelix211164]

"Breakups are never easy" History Matters coming at us with the hard hitting facts as always, I see.

[@streamlinedengine]

Just like a few Videos ago, he told us “Sometimes, countries don’t get along.”

[@michaeltamke8542]

Never except for the case of Czecho-Slowakia with their "meh-approach"

[@PerryML]

This is 100% an ABBA joke. Knowing Me, Knowing You has this line.

[@aratirao9007]

🟠 SERCH ADITYA RATHORE-HE ALSO MAKES INFORMATIVE CONTENT LIKE HISTORY MATTERS

[@Birkebeiner1066]

@@PerryML breaking up is never easy I know but I have to go

[@sdavis1123]

These videos make long drives so much better!! Keep up the great work!

[@Gaeilgeoir]

3:01 I love how the Swedish Chef showed up to support no military action being made by Sweden. 😂😂

[@awc6007]

Still waiting for that “What was Vietnam like after the Vietnam war?” Video also Denmark needs more kings named Christian, they don’t have enough.

[@PedroLanzarini]

The grandson of Queen Margrethe is also named Christian, he will be Christian XI.

[@brandonlyon730]

I mean the French already had plenty of Louis’s.

[@BudMasta]

@@brandonlyon730 and look what happened to them

[@joermnyc]

It’s always that, or Fredrick, unless it’s a Queen.

[@Adam-dd5fx]

In sweden it is now Karl XVI

[@AlbinNilssonAlcaztrul]

While the situation was tense, it's a great thing that in the end, the dissolution was peaceful. There is a quote from the dissolution talks, which finally was asserted in during a conference in Karlstad, which goes something along the lines of "if these two fraternal people wouldn't be able to settle this matter peacefully, what substance would any future peace treaty in the world ever have?" And that really hit me when I first read it. The peace monument for the dissolution of the union in central Karlstad is truly beautiful.

[@liberty.b.r]

They should carve that motto into the wall of every embassy on the globe, and God bless everyone. :)

[@torg2126]

@@liberty.b.r International relations tend to have a few more than two members, so some paraphrasing in due.

[@ryuuguu01]

I was encouraged by the fact that even though political and military leaders wanted a war, they were forced to back down the citizens of the country and rank & file of the army not wanting senseless war.

[@timesnewlogan2032]

@@ryuuguu01 If only the same thing happened a decade later.

[@Mainyehc]

The Spanish could learn a thing or two from that episode. 🙄

[@Exotic3000]

Thanks for posting!

[@gregorystokes9817]

very nice very enjoyable succinct , nice sound. very professional.

[@swagtheyolo7061]

"They thought the Norwegians would just keep demanding more, and they did" As a Norwegian, can confirm. If we cant fight out way out of it, we'll demand our way out of it

[@NordisktLejon]

You can demand Malmö from us if you want... please?

[@Carlium]

@@NordisktLejon As long as we get the whole coastline from our border down to it, including Göteborg :)

[@fjellfinn4618]

@@NordisktLejon we can start with bohuslan and jamtland

[@NordisktLejon]

@@Carlium pff sure, just remember: no refunds.

[@Carlium]

@@NordisktLejon Alright. :D

[@jonatantuvstedt9750]

The Swedish king didn’t die, the old one (Gustav IV) was ousted after losing Finland, while the next one died of a heart attack in 1818, after Sweden got Norway. Also Sweden was basically run by her new imported crown prince since (a former french marshal) 1811.

[@emilkofod]

Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte

[@sabertoothwallaby2937]

Bet

[@loukasmaki]

Yeah I wish the fact that Sweden imported a king from France to get Napoleon's support in reconquering Finland would have been in the video.

[@Luredreier]

@@loukasmaki A king that sided against him, no?

[@aleksandarvil5718]

@@Luredreier YES

[@oliversherman2414]

I love your channel keep up the great stuff!

[@notsharingwithyoutube]

Great video. Thanks.

[@mikeskadi]

as a swede seeing the swedish chef is a legendary moment Edit: thank you for over 2000 likes........BRUH!!!

[@j.p.ijsblok5304]

Stopping a war, no less! Swedish Chef unites all

[@OHOE1]

invade Norway!!!!, ehehedhhe

[@hugolafhugolaf]

Why?

[@eddiegv45]

Bork Bork Bork!

[@Bejunckt]

He appears at the 3:04 minute

[@julianhoxha1314]

2:27 the "Made in Albania" touch on the bunker is hillarious

[@sunday8637]

Name checks out.

[@marksn4020]

I did not know. Wow. Thank you guys. One new subscriber

[@ClassicGreenery]

Great video! Could you do a video on Iceland and how it got it's independence from Danmark?

[@Kalah_]

Good video. Here's some addenda from a Norwegian history teacher. :) It is often said that the rise in Nationalism was the reason Norway broke with Sweden. While true, it can also be said that the need for having separate Norwegian consulates and a separate Norwegian foreign policy became more important with the rise of industrialisation from the mid-1800s. This is because we did a lot more foreign trade with our huge trading fleet (third biggest in the world in 1885). Another thing: When Norway did secede, there was a discussion about whether we should go for a republic or a monarchy. The monarchy was chosen because it was seen as a less radical option, and one of the reasons the Danish prince Carl (later king Haakon VII) was chosen, was that the English king approved of the match... essentially guaranteeing English support for the secession.

[@dhess34]

I love the additional context, thanks!

[@robertthomas8628]

Super cool, thanks for the lesson!

[@Captain-Axeman]

Yeah, that's a fun fact. Also not too metion Carl was married too a English Noble woman.

[@Asidders]

And I've learned that the reason for the English approving of our secession was that it was seen as favourable if Sweden were to be weakened. The reason behind this being Sweden was cozying up to Germany, the new up-and-coming state which everyone was afraid of.

[@reb0118]

A wee point of fact. Not an English king as the kingdom of England ceased to be in 1707. Rather the King of the United Kingdom or British king.

[@MisterTipp]

Foreign newspapers noted in the years following the breakup that the now peaceful relations and trade between the two countries had resulted in a better relationship than had ever been the case during the union time, and that the two countries had finally become two brother states 🇸🇪🇳🇴🇸🇪🇳🇴

[@aratirao9007]

🟫 SERCH ADITYA RATHORE-HE ALSO MAKES INFORMATIVE CONTENT LIKE HISTORY MATTERS

[@goranisacson2502]

Just goes to show that sometimes, divorce really is the better choice over "toughing it out".

[@anonvideo738]

Nice to hear two countries that dont tear eachother apart.

[@Santor-]

Thats probably why both sides developed nicknames for eachother such as "cute-brother", "Nor-bags" and "Swed-devil" och "Elaka-gurk-brallor".

[@tovekauppi1616]

@@Santor- elaka gurkbrallor??

[@Numba003]

I could use more Scandinavian history knowledge. Thank you for another comical and informative video! Stay well out there everybody, and God bless you friends! :)

[@NicolaW72]

Thank you very much! :-)

[@AndrewPonti]

I know this was said before, but I LAUGHED SO HARD when the Swedish Chef snuck into the frame. Well done, and thank you for my daily laugh.

[@twothreebravo]

This was again one of those things I missed on the first watch through which is why I always have to watch the videos at least twice. I absolutely love that about them

[@thewatcherinthecloud]

3:05 war nopey

[@happyfarmer979]

If you have a moment- I am wondering what the reference is to the Swedish chef...

[@Alexander-zb2pe]

People always skip over “Denmark sided with Napoleon”, when the fact is britain pulled a Bush Jr. and proclaimed “anyone not with us is against us”.

[@christianvalencia4489]

I recall that Denmark was neutral but Britain bombarded Copenhagen without provocation to get rid of the danish navy.

[@freakymoejoe2]

@@christianvalencia4489 yes, this is what happened. Denmark joined napoleon after the bombardment (which included experimental incindiary rockets launched into civilian centers) because he promised to force britain to pay reperations for the attack.

[@javieraravena5345]

@@christianvalencia4489 even worse because the British feared that the danish were going to join Napoleon, which lead to the attack, which lead to... the danish joining Napoleon. Also this happened twice

[@kumsaati2128]

@@javieraravena5345Yes but by attacking first, they destroyed the Danish navy in port, which were the crucial assest of Denmark. Without the navy, Danes siding with Napoleon meant little.

[@salem1451]

Flåteranet :(

[@Ahmedkhan8802]

Zowie! First rate synthesis of the facts; highly informative. The rapid-fire delivery (intentional, no doubt) will require most listeners - apart from Scandanavian history buffs - to engage in multiple listenings to absorb it all, but nicely done.

[@creber4790]

awesome video

[@AureusYoutube]

Because Norway fell in love with James Bissonette.

[@piercepayumo4212]

Yes!

[@gufosufo337]

As a Norwegian, this is correct

[@lukasjuul4487]

Who isn't

[@billyjoellivealbums8654]

My Norwegian friend says this correct

[@xp8969]

That wasn't Norway's fault at ALL, smdh, Sweden was cheating on them with Lil Miss Moneymaker

[@miloskaluznik48]

"Breakups are never easy." And then there is Czechoslovakia.

[@moblinmajorgeneral]

"This isn't gonna work out, is it?" "Nope."

[@sweiland75]

@@kameronjones7139 Czechoslovakia didn't break up due to war.

[@miloskaluznik48]

@@kameronjones7139 Point is that Czechoslovakia broke up in a super peaceful and calm manner

[@kayzeaza]

@@sweiland75 that’s what they’re saying. Czechoslovak was the nicest break up of all time

[@brandonlyon730]

@@kameronjones7139 Macedonia was able to get out of Yugoslavia relatively peacefully.

[@espenhagenblokkdal7574]

Some funny details: The swedish king had to inspect the fortifications in Norway, as he was commander in chief of both countries. It is said that he asked, visibly annoyed, the Norwegian minister of war "agains whom are you building these fortifications?". The minister replied "against enemies of the realm, your highness". Also, in the years around 1883, the Norwegian parliament refused to treat ALL legal propositions from Sweden, as both the Norwegian parliament and the swedish counterpart had to ratify for it to pass into law. Refused all propositions, with one exception: in 1883 they passed the "common sami law" (felleslappeloven), which essentially made it impossible for samis to let their reindeer graze in Finnmark.

[@fjellfinn4618]

Ofc that would be a thing norwegians and swedes agreed on.

[@YouTubeisgettingworse.]

@@fjellfinn4618 We weren’t kind to them, unfortunately.

[@jamessantos3767]

3:05 Love that detail

[@KysonChannell]

3:04 the Swedish Chef killed me 😂😂

[@Mark723]

Priceless, truly priceless...

[@augustharrysson7173]

Ah that's what that was Few people in Sweden recognize that character lol, funny how it symbolizes us in the anglosphere

[@sweiland75]

LOL I missed him the first time.

[@Krom1212]

1884 was also an important date, since it was the year parliamentarism was established in Norway and the king no longer appointed the government. The Norwegian constitution actually became more democratic under negotiations with Sweden since the Swedes needed to be quick before support for the union disappeared in Britain. They wanted a strong Danish king, and when that was impossible preferred a weaker Swedish king with more limits on his power

[@andreassag]

Fun fact: Norway has operated as a parliamentary democracy since 1884, but it was only a customary law until 2007.

[@NicolaW72]

Indeed.

[@BalooSJ]

My understanding (from the Swedish perspective) was that Bernadotte was quite lenient/benign when negotiating the Sweden/Norway union and Norway's subsequent constitution. Before being recruited to becoming Sweden's crown prince and later king, he had been one of the highest-ranking officers in the French army, and had been a part of the French Revolution. So he saw Norway as a showcase of sorts for how he thought a country should be run, whereas he was quite a bit more limited in what he could do in Sweden.

[@jono7064]

3:10 The Norwegian referendum where everyone used the Swedish word for "for", för, but written with a Norwegian "ø" instead of the Swedish "ö", witch actually means "before" in Norwegian. Norwegians use "for" for saying for.

[@jrexx2841]

Thank you James Bizonette

[@Bejunckt]

Please consider doing ‘Why do Central American countries exist?’ !! Great videos like always!!

[@emilandersen2195]

I have honestly wondered that a few times. Bunch of tiny countries with semi-random borders, squeeze in between larger countries.

[@pecadodeorgullo5963]

That'd be interesting since the only 2 who's origins I know about are Panama and Belize.

[@torg2126]

@@pecadodeorgullo5963 I know that the US backed Panama's independence bid from Colombia so we could have a small, easily influenced country to administrate the Panama Canal without imposing excessive tariffs, but what's with Belize?

[@santiagob.1071]

They used to be one country called United States of Central America (or Federal Republic of Central America) that separated from Mexico on the 1820s. During the 1840s the country went into civi war resulting in the secession of its states. Which are now Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Honduras and El Salvador. Belize used to be a former British colony.

[@pecadodeorgullo5963]

@@torg2126 Belize was originally called British Honduras and was founded in 1862 so that's why they're the only English-speaking nation in central America.

[@lazlow9640]

Fun Fact: During the Napoleonic wars, a British ship was captured off the coast of Norway by Norwegians, who claimed them to be Pirates and were put on trial, my Dad and Brother, who live in Kristiansand, played the British Captain and First Mate in a film made about it a few years ago.

[@renfors3931]

What's the name of the film?

[@lazlow9640]

@@renfors3931 Brother I wish I could tell you haha, a small production made a few years ago for Norwegian television, I'll try and find the link my Pa sent.

[@renfors3931]

@@lazlow9640 Thanks, I was interested to see it if I can get my hands on it because it'll not be that hard to understand for me if it isn't bokmål or something like that

[@lazlow9640]

@@renfors3931 Not that I'm too verse on Norwegian myself, but in Kristiansand they speak Sørlandsdialekt, it's a bokmål part of Norway.

[@merlith4650]

​​@@renfors3931 bokmål is not a dialect. It's a writing form of norwegianized Danish. No one actually speaks bokmål, as the regional dialects was a thing long before the writing form was invented. The dialects that are the most similar to bokmål are the east-norwegian dialects, especially those around Oslo as those were the ones most influenced by Danish

[@odysseusrex5908]

That was fascinating.

[@doctoremil2678]

2:58 "Made in Albania" 🤣

[@lololol246]

Lol🤣🤣 We have great experience building bunkers

[@hansmelbye1804]

As a Norwegian, I'm honoured to see that you made a video about my country. I hope you can make a video about Norway during WW2 one day; you can talk about the sinking of Blucher, the battle of Narvik, the Heavy Water Sabotage, Haakon VII, Max Manus, Vidkun Quisling etc.

[@arvid8021]

The sinking of Tirpitz as well in the North, which helped take control over trade between Soviet and the United Kingdom/US through the Barents Sea. Such an underrated part of the Norwegian war effort at home.

[@lunariedawn]

And about Finnmark too maybe, so many things happened up there

[@studiosnch]

Also the use of paper clips as a symbol of resistance in WWII.

[@sirkkusalomaa4644]

Blir ikke mer stemning enn når norge blir nevnt på engelsk

[@estefencosta1835]

As an American and therefore steeped in ignorance I choose to believe you just made up all those people/events.

[@CRKennat]

If there's no hope for Norway and Sweden, what hope is there for the rest of us?!

[@dhess34]

But they resolved their disagreement without open warfare, which isn’t the norm on the European continent. Makes me happy that war-hungry politicians and generals can be put in their place by populations who would rather have peace.

[@LeifWarner]

Yes - but now we have to deal with a ton of Swedish vs Norwegian jokes as a consequence. Was it really worth it??

[@Iason29]

I always believed the Scandinavian resolution of the treaty of Vienna was unfair, Denmark shouldn't have been punished so harshly for siding with napoleon, the only reason they had to was cause the did not stand a chance against a french invasion. Even Sweden was bullied by France to side with napoleon at some point and conducted a fake war against Britain one which they did not fight in practice for about a year, and yet they were not punished. If even Sweden was forced to side with Napoleon, how could Denmark have stood a chance? And Russia should have been reprimanded for invading Finland or forced to give it back. The whole point of the treaty was to restore balance of power but instead only made the russian juggernaut stronger for no reason and caused sociopolitical problems in scandinavia.

[@clementlefevre5384]

@@Iason29 congratulations ! You just realize that the congress of Vienna wasn't about keeping peace or being fair but was about keeping monarchs of the coalition from getting too strong to threaten the others !

[@zthaizi]

@@clementlefevre5384 epic sarcasm

[@windborne8795]

@3:05, the Swedish Cook Muppet enters, stage left! Love it! 😂

[@davidbrims5825]

Very interesting.

[@SirAntoniousBlock]

HM: _Sometimes countries break up, like Britain and Ireland, Britain and America or Britain and most other places._ 😂

[@schmoemi3386]

except Gibraltar & the Falkland Islands... 😂

[@Argos-xb8ek]

Britian only cares when it sees its colony with another country

[@engelsteinberg593]

When?

[@13gan]

Then you have Malta, who practically begged to stay with Britain but Britain just politely kick them out of the house by saying bs like "I love you too and that's why we need to break up".

[@ecurewitz]

next breakup Britain and Scotland

[@lukegauci1159]

Norway: “help us not be suppressed by a foreign power.” Britain: *laughs in world suppressing Empire *

[@birdiewolf3497]

Right! I was like yall asked England for help on this?!?! 💀💀💀

[@infiniteinfiniteinfi]

Britain probably wanted more favourable trade relations with norway than sweden would offer.

[@Northex23]

Norway and Britain have had a good relationship due to trade for centuries, in that regard it made sense, but Britain was probably consumed entirely by concerns about the Napoleonic War.

[@Captain-Axeman]

@@Northex23 Exacty correct, they didn't give support too Norweaym but in fact they gave no support too Sweden againts Norway.

[@Northex23]

@@Captain-Axeman In that time Sweden didn't need support, just no opposition. They were an imperial power, Norway was not.

[@lampshade3795]

Very interesting

[@tommyhunter1817]

LOVE seeing the Chef!!!!

[@icelandinreallife2042]

Fun fact: Until 1852 Iceland was subjected to some very harsh trade laws; basically only merchants from The Danish Realm where allowed to do any trade with Icelanders. How ever after Denmark lost Norway they were naturally a little salty about it so Norwegian merchants continued to be allowed to conduct business in Iceland.

[@swadianknight9394]

This channel gives me answers to questions that I didn't think I needed to know

[@franksusko9942]

Nice cameo of the Swedish Chef from the Muppet Show at the 3:00 mark!

[@alanrogers989]

The 'Made in Albania' on the defensive emplacement was a nice touch!

[@adnef0388]

Good timing my dude, litteraly learning about the break up of the union I history classes rn

[@TheNeutron82]

As a Norwegian I must say it was a brilliant summary! Must add an anecdote about the brilliant Norwegian PM at the time in 1905 (Christian Michelsen) during the 'consulate crisis' (aka Norway wanting their own foreign policy). A political ally to Michelsen said: 'Now is the time to stick together'. Michelsen responded: 'Now is the time to shut up!' Sums up why it actually went well (no war) 😊

[@slewone4905]

The PM of Norway called Christian because of course he was

[@stordoy]

that story is half true, as it was made into a joke with those lines by a newspaper, and the friend was famed writer Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson, who seemingly lost a lot of his glamour in his later years

[@TheSlyngel]

Now is the time to shut up. Yeah Brilliant! Had Norway started shooting the Swedish people would have supported the army and the King no doubt, glad it ended the way it did.

[@henrik3291]

@@TheSlyngel The Swedish government and the king was not in favour of war

[@shadhinov]

the Swedish people were the first people in modern human history to act like decent human beings.

[@Gsoda35]

pleasure to listen to a well explained history lesson. can we do away with the bulky and strange animations?

[@RT1SB3]

I literally laughed out loud at 3:06 when the Swedish Chef showed up 🤣!

[@pancudowny]

What's next... Kermit makes an appearance, running through the field of daisies?

[@TransformersBoss]

Norway: “all right! We’re finally independent!” [Hitler has entered the chat]

[@sail2byzantium]

RE: Hitler has entered the chat. "Calling all Quislings!"

[@thenorwegiangamerr]

Norway/we lasted only 35 years

[@thenorwegiangamerr]

@@Whatareyoudoinnhere And some of them are even caring communism

[@TheSlyngel]

Norway: “all right! We’re finally independent!” [Hitler has entered the chat] Norway: "Sweden help!?" Sweden: You wanted OUT of the union didn't you?

[@ParleLeVu]

@@TheSlyngel At least they took our refugees. Also some Swedish volunteered to fight with the Norwegian resistance. Although it was far fewer than the Swedish/Norwegian contingent that volunteered to fight USSR in the Winter War.

[@veronicalogotheti5416]

Thanks

[@LawtonDigital]

Oh! "The King's Choice" takes up a bit of Norway's history from here (1905). Well worth watching.

[@Vic2_over_Vic3]

I waited long for this video and i love it. :D

[@hussain6469]

"the swedish king wasn't doing much because of a heart attack" certified good one

[@universum9574]

2:36 is spot on! xD As a swede I think this was a dumb union to begin with, and was only forced on by the frenchman Jean Baptiste Bernadotte as a substitute for the loss of Finland. Bernadotte was a smart man, but he didn't seem to understand that the differences between Norway and Sweden and the fact that they hade been enemies for (almost) forever despite being a brother-nation. The more logical thing would have been to retake Finland when Russia was weakened. But because Bernadotte was a foreigner he pretty much saw Finland as a wasteland with only a huge border to Russia which would just lead to future conflicts and didn't have the emotional cord to the Finns that we Swedes have.

[@tezz2698]

I highly doubt there was much of an emotional cord between Swede's and Finns back then, seeing as the Swedes were primarily concerned with exploiting the Finns in whatever way possible.

[@radovankekistanovic1342]

if Bernadotte tried to get Finland back, not only would the Swedish have to fight Russia but also Prussia(who HATED him for being one of the reason for their humiliating defeat at Jena) and Denmark (in case he also took Norway)

[@universum9574]

@@radovankekistanovic1342 It may have been so, but Norway was more diffucult in terms of terrain and the fact the norwegians hated to be put under Swedish rule. Charles XII failed TWICE to take Norway.

[@tezz2698]

@engineer gaming How is that inaccurate? That's exactly what that relationship was like.

[@75RWM]

Love the Swedish Chef sneaking into a scene.

[@ronkolek613]

Bloody hell, the Swedish Chef cameo killed me.

[@ecurewitz]

Nobody expects the Swedish Chef!

[@pancudowny]

What's next... Kermit makes an appearance, running through the field of daisies?

[@sirnilsolav6646]

Interesting video because we in Norway very often see things from the Norwegian perspective, but rarely do we see them from the Swedish one. Good video!

[@chn71]

I always thought it was because Sweden and Norway had different tastes in Heavy Metal music, so I learned something new today.

[@mr.mrs.d.7015]

OMG hilaripus...and informative

[@anonymouscausewhynot]

The Swedish people are awesome for standing up for Norway like that, even if it was against their own government.

[@lordoftheedge3212]

Weaklings

[@mackboiplays3649]

No

[@kostam.1113]

Make Sweden great again

[@ziongarner4485]

'standing up for Norway' my ass. They just didnt want a war because it would affect them.

[@WILLIAN_1424]

@@ziongarner4485 exactly, just cowardly traitors.

[@pyptron_7114]

The king norway got at the end was named Haakon VII. He was a great king, his son Olav V and our current king Harald IV are also really well liked. I am proud to be living with such a strong monarchy. 🇳🇴Our national day is 17. May🇳🇴

[@bkern8536]

@Ihaab it has a lot of support in the country

[@Lucky_Chant]

And then there is the crown prince and princess..........

[@anonymike8280]

@Ihaab Do they wash dishes?

[@Bearded_Tattooed_Guy]

@@anonymike8280 Sometimes they do, actually. But, not after official dinners...

[@anonymike8280]

@@Bearded_Tattooed_Guy I mean, for a living.

[@mholm1818]

"Made in Albania" on the bunker was funny, as was the lurking Swedish chef.

[@airtary-4169]

you should make more videos of norway. lots of great history from there. like for example king Haakon the VII, norwegian resistans during ww2, norwegian sailors during ww1. the middle ages, union with Danmark and more,

[@wolfgangwolff1343]

I love the jokes and hillarious things in this video. Keep your humor!

[@willek1335]

2:23 massively increased the fleet "4 ships" xD

[@nagonpainternet5551]

I also want to mention the important role of the growth of the labour, and social democratic movement in Sweden which pushed the country to let Norway go. You kind of allude to it in the end when you talk about the Swedes threatening to strike if Sweden attacks Norway, but important non the less 🌹✊🇸🇪🇧🇻

[@Henrik46]

I think you meant "*allude to it".

[@nagonpainternet5551]

@@Henrik46 Thanks!

[@eric-wb7gj]

TY🙏🙏

[@c.w_]

I listen to the credit as I love hearing ‘spinning three plates’ and the other sponsors names.

[@IfdesHerzog]

Just love the sign "WE'RE OUT, NERD"

[@springytaco7587]

yes

[@alexfeder9328]

Nice beginning to the video lol

[@agemre]

I appreciate the length of your videos, stick purely with the facts telling in a fun way. Tho, if you could slow down a bit :)

[@Orca8472]

Almost 30 000 views in 20 minutes? God I love this channel :)

[@Nomenooooo]

Norway: ''I'm back! Miss me? Other countries: Who tf are you?

[@Admiral45-10]

Poland: ,,Hey everyone! Just liberated myself and saved you all from Communism. You're welcome😘" France and UK: *I missed the part where that's my problem*

[@Incognito-co6og]

Thing is norway was never gone

[@alejandrocantu4652]

Carrying on with the theme can you do an episode of why Britain exist

[@hotmechanic222]

"made in Albania" and the Swedish chef cracked me up!!! lol

[@marcosfonseca8195]

Pls do; how was life in Central Asia during the Soviet Union! Great video!

[@FIREBRAND38]

Love the appearance by The Swedish Chef! 3:04

[@jack1701e]

That "Made in Albania" on the bunker made me chuckle!

[@porselanaportao7046]

Ganske pog, det må bli sagt.