West European Studies

Norway had maintained a policy of neutrality since the beginning of the First World War. This had been largely influenced by the fiscal severity practiced by its conservative parties, the promotion of pacifism by its labour party and the belief that its neutral status wont lead them to war. However, its neutrality was greatly compromised when it negotiated several trading treaties with Britain and Germany, whereas both countries had different vested interest. The phony war practiced by the allies came to end in April 8th 1940, after the British army tried to avert the Swedish iron ore destined for Germany. On the other hand, Norway was caught off guard when Germany invaded them and occupied its territory up to May 8, 1945.
       
Germans main intention of invading Norway was not only to safeguard it from the allies but also secure the harbors from which it could gain access to North Atlantic Ocean. Moreover, it needed to ensure that the iron ore from Sweden was not under any threat from the allies while still pursuing its propaganda of creating a German empire. To start with, Britain and France hastily organized their troops and flew them to Norway to counter the German invasion. However, they suffered their first major defeat when they landed as they were surrounded and made to either surrender or turn back. The allies were to suffer another major setback when Germany invaded France along the Maginot line which was a heavily fortified and wooded region.
           
The allies army started landing in Narvik, Namsos and Andalsnes in order to fight from both the northern and the southern front. By then, Germany had over twenty five thousand troops in Norway and was attacking the allied forces from Namsos. Britain had to evacuate it troops resulting to the last resistance by Norwegian troops to accept defeat at Hegra fortress and Vinjesvingen. The German troops who were five times that of the allied troops before their evacuation, and the gradual defeat of the French resistance in France, implied that Britain had to withdraw its support for Norway
           
When the effectiveness of the allies force was compromised, the British army had to leave the continent through Dunkirk, leaving behind its military equipment. The Germans were not turning back and with the help of Italy, subdivided the French territory among themselves and declared war with the United Kingdom.  Norwegian resistance was greatly weakened by the fact that its powerful military arterially had been captured by the Germans in the first twenty four hours of the invasion. During the entire war, the major allied players were loosing faith on the strategic importance of Norway. Despite the fact that several commando attacks meant to deceive the Germans were carried out in different regions, others were meant to limit the increased proliferation of German troops and scientific research in nuclear power.
         
The liberation of Norway can be traced back to October 7, 1944 when a combination of Soviet and Northern army attacked the most vulnerable spot of the Germany army. Moreover, Norwegian troops based in Britain joined the Soviet troops through the north of Norway. After Hitler committed suicide in April 1945, his successor issued unconditional obedience and withdrawal orders. After the liberation, Einar Gerhardsen replaced the Norwegian government which was exiled in Britain and governed till his election as prime minister. During the five year occupancy, Germany benefited from over forty percent of Norways GDP, and the aftermath of war consisted of extensive drought due to the scorched earth policy which they used after their defeat.