Nasjonal Samling Archive: Nasjonal Samling

Nasjonal Samling (National Gathering) was a Norwegian far-right political party active from 1933 to 1945. It was the only legal party of Norway from 1942 to 1945. It was founded by former minister of defence Vidkun Quisling and a group of supporters such as Johan Bernhard Hjort – who led the party's paramilitary wing (Hirden) for a short time before leaving the party in 1937 after various internal conflicts. The party celebrated its founding on 17 May, Norway's national holiday, but was founded on 13 May 1933. Nasjonal Samling was made illegal and disbanded at the end of World War II, on 8 May 1945.

Antisemitism, anti-Masonry and differing views on religion, as well as the party's association with the National Socialists and Germany, were hotly debated, and factionalized the party. By the time the Second World War broke out, the party had around 2,000 members.

Strong belief in Romantic nationalism and authoritarianism dominated the NS ideology. It also relied heavily on Nordic symbolism in its propaganda and speeches. It asserted that its symbol (shown at the head of this article), a golden sun cross on a red background (colours of the coat of arms of Norway), had been the symbol of St. Olaf, painted on his shield.

NS Government (1942-1945)

Ministers