Vidkon Quisling - Essay Example

underlying dynamics of the rise of Nazi Germany, Hitler, and the occupation of Norway and other European countries during this pivotal period in the history of the involved countries, and Europe in general. The historical records identify Quisling as belonging in the halls of infamy, having been tagged as one of the most prominent traitors from the Second World War. He served as a puppet head of Norway during the Second World War, starting in 1942, with the Nazis propping up his rule, and as a representative of Nazi rule in the country.

The elected head of Norway during this period was forced to go into exile in Great Britain, a social democrat in Johan Nygaardsvold, even as Quisling held on to power all the way to the end of the war. After that, with the Nazis defeated and driven out of the country, Quisling would go on to be tried and convicted of high treason, for which he was sentenced to death by firing squad. Quisling has, since that time become associated with the word traitor in the English language, and in other major European languages besides, attesting to the notoriety that the man gained in the historical records and the collective memory of all Europeans from that time onwards to the present.

Among his many crimes, for which he was put to death, was collaboration with the Nazis in transporting the Jews in Norway during his time and bringing them to their death in the concentration camps. Prior to his ascension to power in Norway, he had already developed anti-Jewish sentiments, and among his other crimes included deposing the legally installed government as well as the Norwegian monarchy from power from 1942 onwards. In the 1930’s too, Quisling had already established a party that was allied with the Nazi cause in Norway, planting the seeds of his later collaboration with Hitler when he tried to seize power on behalf of Nazi Germany in 1940.

Prior to this time Norway had been neutral, and this act and his collaboration with Nazi Germany effectively