Part 5/9:
Norway’s newfound sovereignty faced a critical test in World War I. Though it aimed to remain neutral, the country grappled with the ramifications of global conflict, experiencing food shortages, societal dissent, and a halting economy under the pressures of warring neighbors. King Haakon VII played a vital role in maintaining neutrality, but the war's toll was evident, with thousands of Norwegian sailors perishing in the crossfire.