Where Cod is King: Life in 19th Century Western Norway

Using slides taken on two cruises through the fjords of western Norway and at an open air museum of 19th century Norwegian life and culture, I will talk about western Norwegian rural life in the 19th century and how it was shaped by the country's climate, mountains, and fjords. The talk will describe the primacy of fishing and the export of dried fish to the 19th century western Norwegian economy, illustrated by slides from a museum of fishing boats, almost identical in design to early Viking ships. It will also describe the impact of Germany on western Norway, both in the political influence of the Hanseatic League in Bergen (with slides from my trip to Bergen and the Hanseatic League buildings there) and the impact of Kaiser Wilhem's rebuilding of the city of Ålesund after it burned down, which is why many Norwegians retained positive feelings for Germany and the Kaiser. The talk will also describe conditions in western Norway that led people to emigrate to the United States in the 19th century. This is G-rated, focused on history and material culture.