Speech in Nasjonalparken, June 14, 1943: A new viable bloc is emerging in Europe – a new era is beginning

Minutes of the Leader's speech in the National Park at NS 8. Borrestevne 14 June 1943.

By Vidkun Quisling.

Those who led our country on 9 April 1940 thought everything would continue in the old way. But during the First World War, Europe was overthrown from its leading position. Our continent had lived high at the expense of others. The industrialized countries had profited from the arable countries and even more from the overseas countries. Europe lost its position of power in the previous world war, it could no longer sell its products, it had to restructure its entire economic life. But the leaders did not want to understand this, or they understood it only partially and refused to take the consequences of it. Now we are in the middle of what is a consequence of the development, and it is becoming more and more clear that the old will never return, that a national rebirth is required that gathers around new goals, new ideals, new forms of government.

In the dethroned Europe, not every people can think only of self-preservation. If we were all to get our products ourselves, the whole thing would be fragmented and weakened, and this would also be completely contrary to science. Europe would not be able to assert itself against the British Empire, against the United States or against the new world empire in the East without the creation of a strong and united Europe.

As far as Norway's position in a coordinated space is concerned, we are now developing a large-scale industry based on raw materials that we have in abundance within the country's borders. This industry is estimated to bring the country 1/2 billion kroner annually. But it is clear that a small country like Norway cannot develop such an industry alone. This must be done in cooperation with other countries in the European industrial policy space.

The existence of the individual nation also warrants cooperation. What is it that makes Finland continue to exist, what is it that secures Sweden, Denmark and Norway?

Yes, it is, in short, the thing that Germany holds the eastern front. It is Germany that defends the Nordic region. Do you think otherwise that the Nordic people - barely 17 million in total - could stand against the hordes from the east? Our national freedom and independence is completely dependent on the new arrangement and peaceful cooperation in the new Europe.

On this 2nd Whitsunday 1943, the allied nations celebrate the so-called "Free Nations Day". It is the new League of Nations that is being celebrated. But whether it is of the same anti-national nature as the old one, or whether it is a Soviet Union that is already being celebrated, is not yet known.

As far as our country's position on the war is concerned, no normal person would seriously want an invasion. It would be one of the most terrible things that could happen to our country. Then we would see what war really is and not just the cranberry war we have had. Every thinking Norwegian should be aware of that.

NS is not a joint-stock company that you join in order to reap dividends. We are an active fighting movement that works to preserve what is most precious to the Norwegian people. No one can fight for something higher and nobler on this earth.

We see what is happening around the world. In America there are strikes and unrest, in England hatred of Jews is growing at the same time as communism is spreading, and it is clear that Soviet Russia is writhing in convulsions.

Development is taking its course. A new block will emerge in Furopa, and a new era will begin.