National Union

National Union was the party led by Vidkun Quisling during the occupation of Norway from 1940 to 1945. Its association with a collaborationist regime shaped the strong stigma attached to overt Nazi imagery and ideology in Norwegian right-wing circles, even as younger groups later adopted more explicitly National Socialist symbols and ideas.

Historical Identity

National Union is identified in the book as the party led by Vidkun Quisling during the occupation of Norway. Quisling chose to establish a collaborationist regime under Nazi rule. The evidence situates the party within this history but does not provide details about its founding, membership, or internal organization.

Occupation and Political Stigma

The occupation and collaborationist regime help explain why outright Nazi imagery and ideology remained unpopular in Norwegian right-wing circles. The book contrasts this stigma with attitudes in neighboring Sweden and the United States, from which Norwegian Nazis drew inspiration. Some groups used Nazi imagery, but the account says this was often intended for its shock value and symbolic force rather than as proof of adherence to National Socialist doctrine.

Later Right-Wing Context

The book places National Union in the historical background to a changing Norwegian nationalist fringe, which ranged from relatively moderate anti-immigration organizations to militant skinhead groups. It notes that many younger groups were developing a more pronounced National Socialist cast in their symbols and ideology. This later development provides context for the continued significance of National Union's history, but the evidence does not establish that the newer groups were organizationally connected to the party.