>>509875087>>509875118No, the vast majority of the Norwegian civilian population did not support or enjoy Nazism during the German occupation from 1940 to 1945. While a small number of Norwegians, most notably those who joined Vidkun Quisling’s collaborationist party, Nasjonal Samling (NS) whom supported the Nazi regime, they were a minority and widely despised by the broader public. Quisling’s name itself became a global synonym for “traitor.”
Most Norwegians either quietly opposed the occupation or actively resisted it. The Norwegian resistance movement engaged in sabotage, underground publishing, and intelligence-gathering in defiance of Nazi control. Teachers, clergy, and students famously resisted attempts to Nazify schools and youth organizations. After the war, many collaborators were tried and punished/executed, reflecting how deeply unpopular and illegitimate Nazi rule was among ordinary Norwegians.
Many faced intense social stigma, legal punishment, and public shaming. Many committed suicide in the immediate aftermath of the war, especially those who held high positions in the collaborationist regime or feared retribution. Children of Norwegian Nazis — often referred to as “NS-barn” — also faced severe discrimination in the postwar period. They were frequently ostracized, bullied, or denied opportunities simply because of their parents’ affiliations. Many “Tyskerbarn” (children born to Norwegian women and German soldiers) were similarly stigmatized, sometimes institutionalized or removed from their families. These postwar traumas led to long-lasting psychological effects, and some individuals later spoke out about depression, shame, and even mass suicide within their communities.