SwedenNorway

SwedenNorway, commonly known as the Union between Sweden and Norway, was a personal union of two separate kingdoms under a single monarch that existed from 1814 to 1905. The arrangement followed the Treaty of Kiel in 1814, when Norway was ceded from Denmark to Sweden. After the Norwegian constitution was adopted, the Convention of Moss established a constitutional union in which Charles XIV John (also known as Karl Johan) ruled as king of both Sweden and Norway. The two kingdoms kept their own laws, institutions, and parliaments, while sharing a common monarch, foreign policy, and defense.

In practice, the union meant that domestic governance remained largely separate for Sweden and Norway, with their own administrations and representative bodies in Stockholm and Oslo. Decisions on war and international diplomacy were coordinated through the shared monarchy, and foreign policy and military matters followed a common framework. The two realms operated with distinct legal systems and political cultures, yet faced frequent negotiations over issues of autonomy and fiscal arrangements.

Tensions over Norwegian autonomy grew in the late 19th century, culminating in the dissolution of the union in 1905. Norway declared independence after negotiations, and Sweden accepted the outcome. Norway then elected Prince Carl of Denmark as king and became Haakon VII, while Sweden continued as a separate constitutional monarchy. The dissolution was conducted peacefully and established two fully sovereign states.

Legacy of the union lies in its influence on Nordic political development and national identities in both kingdoms. It also shaped early experiences of constitutionalism, diplomacy, and regional cooperation, laying groundwork for later Nordic collaboration despite the separation of Sweden and Norway.