ABSTRACT
Norwegian-German relations have always revolved around several major issues, namely those of national security, economics, and historical memory. Throughout the centuries, the two countries existed inside their respective international and interstate systems, and this had a profound effect on the evolution of their bilateral relations. The experience of invasion and occupation became the first breakpoint in Norwegian-German relations. Norway and Germany are two of Europe's "belated nations." Nevertheless, relations existed between them long before they were able to establish themselves as modern nation-states in 1871 and 1905. The management of Norwegian-German relations was an issue that required special attention as Norway took a new look at foreign policy. Memories of invasion and occupation were too fresh simply to resume normal bilateral contacts. Indeed, the years 1940 to 1945 constituted the first and decisive breakpoint in the relationship between the two countries.
