krigstida

Krigstida is a term used in Norwegian, Swedish, and Danish to denote the wartime period in a country's history. It refers to the time when a nation is engaged in a war or is profoundly affected by one, and to the social, political, and economic conditions that result. The duration and character of krigstida vary by country and conflict, but common features include mobilization of resources, conscription or compulsory service, censorship and propaganda controls, rationing and shortages, and significant changes to civil liberties. In many cases, governments extend emergency powers, impose curfews, and oversee wartime economies or production priorities, while international relations shift toward alliance-building and wartime diplomacy.

In occupied territories, krigstida may involve foreign administration, collaboration regimes, mass mobilization for defence, and the emergence of resistance movements; in neutral or non-belligerent states, wartime measures can still be extensive, affecting trade, industry, and daily life.

Norway's krigstida (1940–1945) is a prominent national example, characterized by German occupation, the administration of a collaborationist regime in parts of the country, exile government in London, censorship, persecution, and the growth of organized resistance. The term also applies to other nations with similar wartime experiences and is a standard element of national historiography, contributing to post-war memory and political development.