In 1814, after being on the losing side of the Napoleonic Wars with Denmark, Norway was ceded to the king of Sweden by the Treaty of Kiel. Norway declared its independence and adopted a constitution.

Why did Norway leave Sweden?

The separation was prompted by the creation of a coalition government in Norway whose expressed purpose was to dissolve the union. A law to that fact passed the Norwegian parliament the Sorting. When Sweden Kings Oscar II refused to accept the new law the Norwegian government resigned.

Which country did Norway gain independence from?

Stuart Burch considers the significance to Norway – both in terms of the past and the present – of the anniversary of 1905, when the country at last won its independence from Sweden. Exactly one hundred years ago the people of Norway were going through a momentous period in their history.