Meeting at Eidsvoll following Denmark's cession of Norway to Sweden under the Treaty of Kiel, 112 delegates drafted one of Europe's most liberal constitutions of its era, establishing a constitutional monarchy with separation of powers. Though Norway was forced into union with Sweden later that year, the constitution survived largely intact and May 17 became Norway's Constitution Day, its principal national holiday.
Norway had spent over four centuries in a union with Denmark, and when Napoleon's defeat forced Denmark to cede Norway to Sweden as a war prize, many Norwegians balked at simply being handed to a new monarch without consent. Crown Prince Christian Frederik, the Danish governor in Norway, seized the moment, convening a national assembly to declare independence and draft a constitution rather than accept the transfer quietly.
The delegates at Eidsvoll, drawn from across Norwegian society including farmers, clergy, and officials, worked through the spring of 1814 producing a document influenced by the American and French constitutions, but tailored to Norwegian conditions, notably preserving strong local self-governance. They elected Christian Frederik king on May 17.
The independence proved short-lived. Sweden invaded that summer, and Norway was compelled into a personal union under the Swedish crown by autumn. Yet Norwegians insisted on keeping their constitution as the price of union, and it remained in force. May 17 is celebrated today with parades of schoolchildren waving Norwegian flags nationwide, commemorating not full independence, which came only in 1905, but the birth of Norwegian constitutionalism.
Key people: Christian Frederik