Full resolution (TIFF) - On this page / på denna sida - XXV. International Relations - A. The Union of Sweden and Norway and Its Dissolution
<< prev. page << föreg. sida << >> nästa sida >> next page >>
Below is the raw OCR text
from the above scanned image.
Do you see an error? Proofread the page now!
Här nedan syns maskintolkade texten från faksimilbilden ovan.
Ser du något fel? Korrekturläs sidan nu!
This page has never been proofread. / Denna sida har aldrig korrekturlästs.
388 A History of Sweden
The Dissolution of the Union. On June 7, 1905, the
Norwegian Storthing began the revolution by deposing
their king, Oscar II, and declaring the union dissolved.
By this time the Swedish people were thoroughly
disgusted with the union squabble. There was a com-
mon sentiment among them that a union supported by
force was not worth much. But on the other hand, the
Norwegians should not alone dissolve a union that both
had formed. Sweden should also have its say in the
matter. This sentiment was expressed at the Riksdag
summoned by the king. This Riksdag declared that
Sweden was willing to have the union dissolved if the
Norwegians would agree to certain demands on the
part of the Swedes.
Thereupon Swedish and Norwegian delegates met
for negotiation at Karlstad. These negotiations were
long drawn out, and at one time they were nearly
broken off, and war clouds seemed to hang threaten-
ingly over the Scandinavian Peninsula. Finally, how-
ever, both parties signed the Karlstad agreements.
The Norwegians agreed to discontinue the fortifica-
tions they had begun along the Swedish border. The
territories on both sides of the line were to be a neutral
zone, in which no military operations were to be under-
taken. Future disputes were to be submitted to the
Hague Court of International Arbitration. By these
provisions Sweden had received the recognition and
guarantees of future security which the Riksdag de-
manded. A new Riksdag assembled, which accepted
the Karlstad agreements and declared the union dis-
solved, 1905.
<< prev. page << föreg. sida << >> nästa sida >> next page >>
