In Norway, 1814 is known by many as "The Year of Miracles" because of the huge national and political changes that suddenly and rapidly took place that year. 1814 is the starting point for modern Norwegian democracy. It had both a national and a democratic element: independence for the state of Norway and liberty for Norwegian citizens.
The year of 1814 was a profoundly dramatic year on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. While North America struggled to overcome the deep wounds from the war of 1812, Europe found itself broken from results of the Napoleonic wars. In Norway, 1814 was a dramatic year marked by revolutionary thoughts and visions. It was a new dawn for a country that was independent after a more than 400-year long union with Denmark. At the same time, 1814 also symbolized a defeat for Norway, that was unable to sustain full independence and was forced into a new union with Sweden.
During the Napoleonic wars, Norway-Denmark was an ally to France. Norway-Denmark found itself on the losing side of the wars contrary to Sweden, an ally to England that was on the winning side. As the war ended, Sweden demanded ownership of Norway in compensation for its earlier loss of Finland to Russia. The trade-off was secured through the Treaty of Kiel. Norway's historical colonies -- Greenland, Iceland and the Faroe Islands -- were not included in the transfer, and continued to belong to Denmark. In the transfer of Norway to Sweden, the King of Denmark had to return Norway to the Norwegian people. In this exact moment, the leading elites in Norway seized a historic opportunity to protest the Treaty of Kiel by drawing up their own constitution at an assembly gathered at Eidsvold.
Keep in mind that Norway was a rural society, characterized by high impenetrable mountains and long, rugged coast which were home to small, independent fishermen and farmers. England's seven-year blockade against Norway-Denmark had taken a huge toll on the country. Hunger and poverty were the rule of the day. A key feature that distinguished Norwegian farmers from the majority of European farmers is that they owned their own land. A strong private property principle, although rooted in the Viking ages, was spawned in rural reform during the 1600s. Most farms were small and relatively equal in size and capacity. The Norwegian farmer had an inherent pride and security in land and private property, which proved to be a good basis for standing up for local and political interests. One third of the Eidsvold Assembly were farmers, which was unique in contemporary European history.
One hundred and twelve individuals met in Eidsvoll and drew up a new constitution. The new constitution contained elements of both the US and the French constitution. It was the last in a wave of revolutionary constitutions in the years leading up to 1815, when monarchy once again became dominant in Europe. The Eidsvolds men agreed that the ultimate power should rest with the people. The principle of property rights for farmers and direct inheritance of land were cornerstones of Norway's free peasant society. These principles were written into the Constitution: "All people are born free and equal; they have certain natural, essential and imprescriptible rights. These are liberty, security and property." The farmers' future representation was secured by numeric favoritism.
On the May 17, 1814, the Constitution of a reborn kingdom was signed by the representatives. Norway, even despite the union with Sweden, received the gift of freedom in 1814. It is widely recognized that the modern Norwegian state was founded in 1814. The strong and radical constitution helped Norway to develop politically, economically, and socially during the next 100 years. The Norway-Sweden union allowed room for independent growth. Therefore for Norway, self-government was secured in 1814.
Since 1814, the most important developments for Norway include the introduction of local self-government in 1837 and the introduction of parliamentarism in 1884. Independence from Sweden was obtained in 1905, and the universal right to vote for women was introduced in 1913.
The Constitution of 1814 is now the oldest constitution in Europe still in force. Every May 17, the entire Norwegian population celebrates its birth, its endurance and its importance as part of our proud cultural and historic heritage.
Across Canada, cities and provinces will celebrate the Bicentennial of the Norwegian Constitution by raising Norway's flag on May 17, 2014. On May 17, Norwegians across Canada will participate in a two-fold celebration. They will celebrate their own constitution, a unifying force of democracy and the backbone of a modern and thriving Norwegian society. They will also celebrate the values that bind Canada and Norway together: the shared ideals of democracy, human rights, and the freedom of expression, justice and peace. These rights have survived 200 years, and should endure as a common ground for future cooperation.
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