Danish–Icelandic Act of Union
History of Iceland |
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The Danish–Icelandic Act of Union, an agreement signed by
Background
While a few prominent Icelanders, such as Benedikt Sveinsson , wanted to also sever the personal union with the Danish king, the Icelanders did not seriously pursue it.[2] It was understood that the Danish king would not use the veto powers afforded to him by the Act of Union, and the Icelanders considered it unnecessary to sever all ties with Denmark, having gained their independence and full control of all state affairs.
Historian Gunnar Karlsson argues that Denmark was willing to grant Iceland sovereignty in 1918 for two reasons. First, the self-determination of peoples had grown in importance with the end of World War I.[3] Second, Iceland had shown that it was capable of governing its own affairs (starting with Home Rule in 1904) and relations with other states (during World War I when Iceland was cut off from Denmark).[3]
The founding of the Republic
On 17 June 1944, during the
References
- ^ "Small States and Shelter Theory: Iceland's External Affairs, 1st Edition (Hardback) – Routledge". Routledge.com. p. 108. Retrieved 2019-05-25.
- ^ Jóhannesson, Guðni Th. (2016). Fyrstu forsetarnir. Sögufélagið. pp. 13–15.
- ^ a b Karlsson, Gunnar (2000). History of Iceland. pp. 283–284.