Friðarsamninga

The Friðarsamninga was a peace agreement signed in 1940 between Iceland and the United Kingdom, marking Iceland's independence from Denmark and a significant shift in its relationship with the UK. The agreement was a result of Iceland's desire to fully take control of its foreign policy and national defense in the wake of World War II.

Prior to the agreement, Iceland had been a Danish protectorate since 1918, but with the UK's concern over the potential German occupation of Iceland, it began to take an interest in the island's defense. The UK had been providing Iceland with naval protection, but Iceland's parliament, the Althing, sought greater autonomy over its foreign policy.

The Friðarsamninga was signed on May 24, 1940, after intense diplomatic negotiations between the two nations. The agreement granted Iceland full control over its foreign policy and allowed it to contribute to the UK's war effort in a manner consistent with its sovereignty. In return, the UK provided Iceland with military and economic aid.

The agreement marked a significant milestone in Iceland's transition from a Danish protectorate to an independent nation. While it did not immediately grant full independence, the Friðarsamninga laid the groundwork for the 1944 Icelandic constitution, which unequivocally declared Iceland's independence from Denmark.