Signing of the Treaty of Kiel

On January 14, 1814, Denmark, as a loser in the Napoleonic Wars, signed the Treaty of Kiel with Sweden, ceding Norway to Sweden.

The Danish king who lost the Napoleonic Wars ceded Norway to the Swedish king in exchange for Swedish control of Pomerania. However, the content of the treaty was never formally implemented. Prussia gained Pomerania at the Conference of Vienna; Norway declared independence, promulgated a constitution, and elected Christian Frederick as King of Norway. Shortly after Sweden sent troops to Norway, Norway agreed to form a royal union with Sweden. The Treaty of Kiel specifically stated that Norway's three dependent territories-Greenland, Iceland and the Faroe Islands-did not follow Norway's cession to Sweden, but continued to form union with Denmark.

Prince Christian Frederick, heir apparent of Denmark-Norway and resident governor of Norway, learned of the treaty and launched Norway's struggle for independence, probably to reunite with Denmark. He not only received the tacit support of the Danish royal family, but also received prominent support from Norway, so he successfully incited the independence movement. The Norway persuaded the prince that it was unwise to claim the throne of Norway and that he should temporarily be regent and prepare to elect national representatives to the Constituent Assembly. On April 10, the National Assembly held in Ezvor drafted the constitution. Norway elected Christian Frederick as king and declared independence on May 17. Sweden subsequently invaded Norway, forcing Christian Frederick to abdicate in October. The Norway Parliament made some necessary changes to the Constitution and elected King Carl XIII of Sweden as King of Norway on November 4, marking the formal establishment of the Sweden-Norway alliance.