When all danger from the piratical states had ceased with the
conquest of Algiers in 1830, the Storthing, in 1836, claimed that
a constitutionally originated merchant flag should receive universal
recognition, and that the colours and marks on the union-flag should
indicate more fully and clearly Norway’s equality with Sweden in
the union. A motion was simultaneously brought in to legalise
the Norwegian flag of 1821. The sudden dissolution of the Stor-
thing, however, prevented this matter from coming under discussion,
while in the year following, it was laid before the king in the
above-mentioned address, as a general wish of the people. In reply
to this, the king, in 1838, conceded to Norwegian merchant-ships
the right of using the national merchant-flag in all waters. This
arrangement, although it was greeted with universal rejoicing, was
not final, as the national flag was not fully recognised by the
state, its use being only optional in addition to the naval flag.
Concerning this, in the main Swedish, flag, it was declared in the
address, that «the nation saw in it an ignoring of Norway’s legitimate
claims, that was mortifying to their national feelings»,
With regard to the protection of Norwegian interests in the
discussion of diplomatic affairs, a change was made. The Norwegians
had hitherto had no influence here, but by a royal decree
of the 13th April, 1835, it was ■ ordained that when the Swedish
minister for foreign affairs brought forward matters touching the
relations of the united kingdoms or of Norway with foreign powers,
the Norwegian prime minister, or some other member of the cabinet,
should be present. I t was declared in the address of 1837, that
in this resolution, the nation would see an. initiatory step towards
an arrangement whereby matters touching Norway’s relations with
foreign countries could be attended to in a proper and satisfactory
manner.
On the 30th January, 1839, Carl Johan appointed a committee
consisting of 4 Norwegians and 4 Swedes,, who were to consider
the union questions that had been raised by the Storthing’s
address of 1837. While this first union-committee was sitting, the
question of a complete re-making of the ^.ct of Union was raised
by the Stockholm section of the Norwegian council. At first this
proposal did not meet with the approval of the government; but
the powers of the committee were extended to undertake a comprehensive
revision of this kind. Before the committee had ended
their labours, Carl Johan died (8th March, 1844), and his successor,
O s c a r I, hastened to comply with several of the wishes expressed
by the Norwegians. He immediately decided, for instance,
that Norway’s name should stand first in all documents concerning
the internal government of that kingdom. After allowing the union-
committee to lay before him their opinion concerning the Norwegian
arms and union-flag, he resolved, on the 20th June, 1844,
that both Norway and Sweden should have th eir. national flag as
naval flag, with the badge of union next the pole. At the same
time it was decided that the merchant-flag of both kingdoms should
bear the badge of union, and that only ships sailing under this
flag could claim the protection of the state. The arms of Norway
were immediately after altered by the substitution of an axe, for.
the halberd held by the lion. No further results appeared from
the labours of the first union-committee. I t did, indeed, at last
bring forward a plan for a new Act of Union, and the Norwegian
government gave their opinion upon it; but both were put on one
side by the Swedish government.
Both the latter years of Carl Johan’s reign, and the whole
of King Oscar’s reign are marked by the carrying out of important
legislative work, and reforms in the municipal self-government, in
intellectual freedom, in means of communication, and in trade.
The conditions of the people especially were considerably improved
in Oscar I ’s time by quiet, but hard work, which was still further
aided by a peaceful policy. The united kingdoms escaped being
mixed up in the European wars, although it was once or twice
difficult to keep out of them, e.g. in the Holstein rebellion in
1848—51, and the Crimean War (1854—56). On the other hand,
the country was not unmoved by the great financial crises that
•passed over Europe after the February revolution and the Crimean
War. In connection with the former of these, there was an' agitation.
of -a socialistic character got up among workmen, which
caused some uneasiness, but was quelled by the imprisonment and
conviction of the leaders. I t acquired its greatest significance from
the fact that it drove in the first wedge between the peasant groups,
and caused a division which was most prominent in the latter part
of King Oscar’s reign. The bureaucratic party who had joined the
king, now found a support in the large farmers of the east country,
the latter being opposed to the representatives of the small farmers
who lived mostly in the west. These were joined by a liberal fraction,
nick-named the «lawyer-party», and led by J o h a n S v e r d r u p .