The Neutral Ally
Encyclopedia
Norway
is at times referred to as "The Neutral Ally". During World War I, while theoretically a neutral country, British pressure and anti-German sentiment in the population enabled the government to highly favour Britain in matters concerning the large Norwegian shipping fleet and vast fish supplies. The term was coined by Norwegian historian Olav Riste
in the 1960s.
In 1905, when Norway gained independence, the nation's politicians agreed that in matters of international conflict, Norway should remain neutral. Since the Great Power
s had no desire for unrest in Scandinavia
, they signed an agreement respecting Norway's neutrality. Still, the political direction was clear: fearing Russia
n ambition in the north, the sentiment was that Norway should be neutral if war broke out, and rely on help from Great Britain if attacked.
This affinity westwards was substantiated by international trade. In the early 1900s, Norway's merchant fleet was one of the largest in the world, and the country required vast supplies of oil, coal and steel to build and operate it. When war broke out in 1914, Norway was exporting great amounts of fish to Germans and British alike, much to the dismay of the British Government. The Allies
started preventing the Germans from purchasing these fish stocks by overbidding them, but trade in other areas continued. Imports of Norwegian copper ore, nickel and pyrite
were vital to the German war industry, and by the end of 1916, Norway's Government was put under heavy pressure. Several agreements were made, none completely satisfying to the British.
On Christmas Eve 1916, the British issued an ultimatum
, informing the Norwegian Foreign Minister
, Nils Claus Ihlen
, that British exports of coal to Norway would cease unless trade with Germany stopped. The Norwegian Government felt they had no option but to comply with the demand. This coincided with Germany's expansion of Unrestricted submarine warfare
in the beginning of 1917. In total, 618 Norwegian ships were sunk in the period 1916-1917, out of 889 in the course of the whole war. More than 1150 sailors died during this period, creating an increasingly anti-German sentiment throughout the shipping nation of Norway.
Thus, both commerce and political sympathies tied the two countries together during World War I - even though Norway would officially remain neutral throughout the war.
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
is at times referred to as "The Neutral Ally". During World War I, while theoretically a neutral country, British pressure and anti-German sentiment in the population enabled the government to highly favour Britain in matters concerning the large Norwegian shipping fleet and vast fish supplies. The term was coined by Norwegian historian Olav Riste
Olav Riste
Olav Riste is a Norwegian historian.His research focus has been on international and national security, and military history. He is a member of the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters....
in the 1960s.
In 1905, when Norway gained independence, the nation's politicians agreed that in matters of international conflict, Norway should remain neutral. Since the Great Power
Great power
A great power is a nation or state that has the ability to exert its influence on a global scale. Great powers characteristically possess military and economic strength and diplomatic and cultural influence which may cause small powers to consider the opinions of great powers before taking actions...
s had no desire for unrest in Scandinavia
Scandinavia
Scandinavia is a cultural, historical and ethno-linguistic region in northern Europe that includes the three kingdoms of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, characterized by their common ethno-cultural heritage and language. Modern Norway and Sweden proper are situated on the Scandinavian Peninsula,...
, they signed an agreement respecting Norway's neutrality. Still, the political direction was clear: fearing Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n ambition in the north, the sentiment was that Norway should be neutral if war broke out, and rely on help from Great Britain if attacked.
This affinity westwards was substantiated by international trade. In the early 1900s, Norway's merchant fleet was one of the largest in the world, and the country required vast supplies of oil, coal and steel to build and operate it. When war broke out in 1914, Norway was exporting great amounts of fish to Germans and British alike, much to the dismay of the British Government. The Allies
Allies
In everyday English usage, allies are people, groups, or nations that have joined together in an association for mutual benefit or to achieve some common purpose, whether or not explicit agreement has been worked out between them...
started preventing the Germans from purchasing these fish stocks by overbidding them, but trade in other areas continued. Imports of Norwegian copper ore, nickel and pyrite
Pyrite
The mineral pyrite, or iron pyrite, is an iron sulfide with the formula FeS2. This mineral's metallic luster and pale-to-normal, brass-yellow hue have earned it the nickname fool's gold because of its resemblance to gold...
were vital to the German war industry, and by the end of 1916, Norway's Government was put under heavy pressure. Several agreements were made, none completely satisfying to the British.
On Christmas Eve 1916, the British issued an ultimatum
Ultimatum
An ultimatum is a demand whose fulfillment is requested in a specified period of time and which is backed up by a threat to be followed through in case of noncompliance. An ultimatum is generally the final demand in a series of requests...
, informing the Norwegian Foreign Minister
Foreign minister
A Minister of Foreign Affairs, or foreign minister, is a cabinet minister who helps form the foreign policy of a sovereign state. The foreign minister is often regarded as the most senior ministerial position below that of the head of government . It is often granted to the deputy prime minister in...
, Nils Claus Ihlen
Nils Claus Ihlen
Nils Claus Ihlen was a Norwegian engineer and politician for the Liberal Party. He served as foreign minister of Norway between 1913 and 1920.-Personal life:...
, that British exports of coal to Norway would cease unless trade with Germany stopped. The Norwegian Government felt they had no option but to comply with the demand. This coincided with Germany's expansion of Unrestricted submarine warfare
Unrestricted submarine warfare
Unrestricted submarine warfare is a type of naval warfare in which submarines sink merchantmen without warning, as opposed to attacks per prize rules...
in the beginning of 1917. In total, 618 Norwegian ships were sunk in the period 1916-1917, out of 889 in the course of the whole war. More than 1150 sailors died during this period, creating an increasingly anti-German sentiment throughout the shipping nation of Norway.
Thus, both commerce and political sympathies tied the two countries together during World War I - even though Norway would officially remain neutral throughout the war.