Why Was It This Way? Norwegian History Through 10,000 Years

Why Did It Happen? is a new and accessible account of historical events in Norway. It is particularly well-suited for teacher training programs and history studies. Covering the period from the Stone Age to 2020, the book draws on recent research in Norwegian history. The authors explore demographic, economic, political, social, and cultural history, illustrating how what we know today as Norwegian society came to be. The emergence of Norway as a state and nation is a central theme. While it may seem obvious today that a Norwegian state was established on the land we now call Norway, the authors demonstrate that this development was not a given. Key concepts such as nation-building, modernization, democracy, and globalization explain how modern Norway came to be. Examples of using history and understanding history are linked to various history teaching methods. The book also includes assignments that can be used in teaching. Although primarily aimed at students, the book can be beneficial to anyone seeking a concise and accessible overview of Norwegian history.