Denmark–Norway
In 1380, Olaf II of Denmark inherited the Kingdom of Norway as Olaf IV. His mother Margaret I ruled Norway from her son's death in 1387 until her own passing in 1412. The three kingdoms of Denmark, Norway and Sweden united in the Kalmar Union in 1397. Sweden broke out of this union and re-entered it several times until 1521 when Sweden finally left. During the Count's Feud, the Danish crown was contested between Protestant Oldenburg King Christian III and Catholic King Christian II. The relatively Catholic realm of Norway also wished to leave the union in the 1530s but was unable to do so due to Denmark's superior military might. Following this, King Christian completely united the kingdoms to reduce the chances of further uprisings. From 1536/1537, Denmark and Norway formed a personal union that would eventually develop into the integrated state called Denmark, Norway by modern historians.
The Baltic Sea was one of the most lucrative trade spots in Europe during the Dano-Norwegian era. The German Hanseatic League used to be the dominant party in the region before its slow collapse allowed for Denmark, Norway to begin enforcing their control. Denmark, Norway had a powerful navy and with their control over the Oresund were able to enforce the Sound Tolls. These tolls made up two thirds of Denmark, Norway’s state income. Kings such as Christian IV became extremely rich from these revenues. Denmark, Norway also sought to expand into the eastern Baltic Sea. They controlled the island of Gotland which was a major trading post. Using his wealth, King Frederick II purchased the island of Osel in 1560. When Poland-Lithuania attempted to build a navy in 1571, the Danish-Norwegian fleet destroyed or captured much of the Polish fleet in the Battle of Hel.
Frederick II was quite hostile towards the Swedes after maintaining peaceful relations under Christian III. Another major factor in the Northern Seven Years' War were Sweden's goals in Livonia. Both Denmark, Norway and Sweden along with Russia sought to control the previously Hanseatic region. When Denmark purchased Osel, Duke Magnus brother of King Frederick II was granted control of the island. Magnus attempted to claim himself King of Estonia but he was kicked out by the Russian army. After seven years of fighting, the conflict concluded in 1570 with a status quo ante bellum. In 1611 Denmark, Norway finally invaded Sweden with 6,000 men and took the city of Kalmar. On the 20th of January 1613, the Treaty of Knäred was signed. The war ended as foreseen with a Swedish victory in the Torstenson War. With the Treaty of Brömsebro in 1645, Denmark, Norway had to cede some territories including Norwegian provinces Jemtland Herjedalen and Idre & Serna.
Over the course of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, the Rigsraad High Council of Denmark became weak. In 1660, it was abolished since the Norwegian Riksråd had not met since Denmark annexed Norway in 1537. During the royal absolutist state era, Norway kept its separate laws and some institutions such as a royal Chancellor. Separate coinage and army remained under Norwegian control until 1748 when the Dannebrog became the only official merchant flag. These changes were confirmed in the Leges regiae signed on the 14th of November 1665. All power lay in the hands of the king who was only responsible to God. In Denmark, the kings began stripping rights from the Danish nobility. The growing wealth of the Danish-Norwegian kings due to the Oresund allowed them fight wars without consent from the nobility. Danish-Norwegian kings slowly gained more and more absolute authority over time.
Throughout the time of Denmark, Norway, it continuously had possession over various overseas territories. At the earliest times this meant areas in Northern Europe and North America including Estonia and the Norwegian possessions of Greenland Faroe Islands and Iceland. From the 17th century, the kingdoms acquired colonies in Africa the Caribbean and India. At its height the empire covered about 2,655,564.76 square kilometers. Colonies included the town of Tranquebar and Serampore in India. The last settlements Denmark had control over were sold to the United Kingdom in 1845. Rights in the Nicobar Islands were sold in 1869. Centred on the Virgin Islands, Denmark, Norway established the Danish West Indies until it was sold to the United States in 1917. In the Gold Coast region of West Africa, Denmark, Norway also over time had control over various colonies and forts. The last remaining forts were sold to the United Kingdom in 1850.
After 1660, Denmark, Norway consisted of five formally separate parts including the Kingdom of Denmark and the Kingdom of Norway. While Denmark remained a largely agricultural society, Norway was industrialized from the 16th century with a highly export-driven economy. Norway's shipping timber and mining industries made Norway the developed and industrialized part of Denmark-Norway. Norway was also the more egalitarian part of the twin kingdoms. In Norway, the King owned much of the land while Denmark was dominated by large noble landowners. Denmark had a serfdom-like institution known as Stavnsbånd which restricted men to the estates they were born on. All farmers in Norway were free could settle anywhere and were on average more affluent than Danish farmers. For many Danes such as merchants and civil servants, Norway was seen as an attractive country of opportunities. Many Norwegians migrated to Denmark like the famous author Ludvig Holberg.
Denmark, Norway was defeated and King Frederick VI had to cede the Kingdom of Norway to King Charles XIII of Sweden on the 14th of January 1814 at the Treaty of Kiel. Norway's overseas possessions were kept by Denmark. The Norwegians objected to the terms of this treaty and a constitutional assembly declared Norwegian independence on the 17th of May 1814. Following a Swedish invasion, Norway was forced to accept a personal union between Sweden and Norway but retained its liberal constitution. The union was dissolved in 1905. Although the Dano, Norwegian union was generally viewed favourably in Denmark and Norway at the time of its dissolution in 1814, some 19th-century Norwegian writers disparaged the union as a 400-year night. Some modern historians describe the idea of a 400-year night as a myth created as a rhetorical device. Since the late 19th century the Danish, Norwegian union was increasingly viewed in a more nuanced and favourable light in Norway with a stronger focus on empirical research. Historians have highlighted that the Norwegian economy thrived during the entire period of union with Denmark.
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Common questions
When did the political union between Denmark and Norway begin?
The political union began in 1536 or 1537 when King Christian III united the kingdoms following the Count's Feud. This personal union eventually developed into an integrated state known as Denmark, Norway by modern historians.
What was the primary source of income for the Dano-Norwegian state during the sixteenth century?
Sound Tolls collected from control over the Oresund made up two thirds of Denmark, Norway's state income. Kings such as Christian IV became extremely rich from these revenues generated by the powerful navy enforcing trade through the Baltic Sea.
Which territories were ceded to Sweden under the Treaty of Brömsebro signed on the 20th of January 1613?
Under the Treaty of Brömsebro in 1645, Denmark, Norway had to cede Norwegian provinces including Jemtland Herjedalen and Idre & Serna. The conflict concluded with a Swedish victory after seven years of fighting that started with the Northern Seven Years' War.
How many square kilometers did the Danish empire cover at its height?
At its height the empire covered about 2,655,564.76 square kilometers. This vast territory included areas in Northern Europe North America Africa the Caribbean India and the Virgin Islands before settlements were sold to other nations.
When did the Kingdom of Norway officially leave the union with Denmark?
King Frederick VI had to cede the Kingdom of Norway to King Charles XIII of Sweden on the 14th of January 1814 at the Treaty of Kiel. A constitutional assembly declared Norwegian independence on the 17th of May 1814 following objections to these treaty terms.