2-WWII+Norway+OT

===1. What were the circumstances in the Norway that compelled the policies implemented by the occupying power there? How was policy shaped to address these circumstances? ===

===When Germany invaded Norway, they had numerous assets that they were interested in. Specifically, Germany wanted to secure ice-free habors so that naval forces could potentially gain control of the North Atlantic. Also, they wanted to secure iron ore from mines in Sweden which went through Narvik. Lastly, to reinforce the propaganda of a "Germanic empire". As soon as Norway became occupied, it last almost all of its trading partners. Germany became the main partner, but could not make up for the lost economic worth. Although Norway continued to produce at a high rate, Germany confiscated many of their goods, greatly decreasing there number of available outputs. Nazi authorities wanted to make a legistlation that supported its policies, banning all parties but Nasjonal Samling, a Norwegian facist political party. Germany then appointed local leaders, and forced labor unions/other organizations to accept Nasjonal Samling. Throughout Norway, there was a lot of resistance to Nazi leadership and policies, but in the area of economic and social welfare, many Norwegians were very accepting. In Northern Norway, Germans undertook a scorched earth policy which destroyed every building that could offer shelter to the opposing Soviet Union. Overall, Norway's weak state and assets that the Germans wanted is what drove them to occupying Norway. Each action of Germany was to benefit Germany and their place in the war, including to increase popularity of Germany within Norway. ===

===2. What were the effects of the occupation of Norway on the occupying power's war effort? This should include basic data such as numbers of troops diverted to the occupation and so forth, but should also take into account less logistical factors such as the psychological effect of occupation on the occupying power, issues of morale, attitudes of occupation forces toward the local population (and vice versa) and the degree to which that sharpened or dulled the occupiers' resolve, etc===

===The German soldiers first invaded Norway on April 9, 1940. The invasion involved a few short battles, but Germany was quickly gained control of the country. About 400,000 German troops were used in the invasion, due to the fact that Norway's population was only about 3 million. The ratio of Germans to Norwegians was around one to eight. Most of them considered themselves to be lucky to be stationed in Norway because there was limited combat, especially compared to the soldiers on the Eastern front. Although it was considered to be safer, about 5,660 Germans were killed or wounded (1,317 on land and 2,500 at sea). Many Norwegians citizens did not react positvely toward this, they carried out numerous activities that were illegal, irritating the German soldiers and government. They often gave out uncensored or unapproved information in newspapers or handouts. Part of Germany's quest was to use propaganda to positively reflect their "empire" and many Norwegians fought against that. Other Norwegians helped others flee the Nazis and escape to Finland and the UK or sent to prison camps. The purpose of the occupation was to gain Norway and in the views of the Germans it was an easy win. Although there were some deaths, Germans stationed in Norway were more lucky than those stationed elsewhere. Also, even though there was some conflict between the Germans and Norwegians, overall Germans occupation of Norway had limited effects on Germany and their soldiers.===

[|Oslo]

===When Hitler demanded the Norwegian surrender, they repied with "We will not subit voluntarily: the struggle is already in progress", but they were not prepared for Germany. Many took part in the armed resistance against Germany, while others provided support, took part in disobedience or passive resistance. The most successful Norwegian resistance was the heavy water sabotage. This crippled the German nuclear energy project, which was very important to them, especially during a time of war. Relatively few Norwegians were active participants in the Nasjonal Samling party, the Norwegian facist party, although quite a few supported it. About 15,000 Norwegians volunteered for combat on the Nazi side, with about 6,000 sent as part of the Germanic SS, and most of the rest were sent to the Eastern front. Even before the war officially ended, there was a lot of discussion over what to do about those who had collaborated with the Germans. Many favored "extrajudicial killings" of the offenders, but much effort was put into due proccess trials of the accused. The occupation ultimately resulted in a further defined idea of Norwegian national identity. The resistance movement was able to provide the Norwegian military and political leaders with durable role models and steps to follow in.===

[|Germans attacking Norway]

===The youth in Norway played an important role in fighting, as well as speaking out against the occupation. Many of them included workmen, students, business men, and sailors. They all demanded uniforms, arms, and munitions, but were not given them. They weren't allowed to purchase anything that would be useful in Sweden, and could not send them across the border. This heavily crippled the abilities of the youth at the time, limiting them and their ability to resist the Germans. According to Sigurd Maseng (wife of the Norwegian Consul in Chicago), although she did not directly see the turmoil to women in Norway, she was a part of relief for them. She spoke towards the pain that they were going through in the country and hoped for the suffering to stop. Overall disease, famine, dangers to life, loss of freedom and possessions, and indignities of all kinds engulfed the women and youth in Norway at the time. With the German occupation both women and youth were forced to go through turmoil alongside the men of that country. They were given no rights and had to live through the harsh conditions of the time.===

[|Food Shortages]

Works Cited
==="The Norway Campaign in World War II." //BBC News//. BBC, n.d. Web. 20 Nov. 2013. . ===

==="Norwegian History: World War II." //Norwegian History: World War II//. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Nov. 2013. . ===

==="The Occupation of Norway." //The Occupation of Norway//. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Nov. 2013. . ===

===Rygg, A. N. //American Relief for Norway: A Survey of American Relief Work for Norway during and after the Second World War//. Chicago: Arnesen, 1947. //JSTOR//. Web. 22 Nov. 2013. . ===