1662-1789 1815-1874






Iceland 1789-1815

For centuries, the affairs concerning Iceland had mainly been decided in Copenhagen. The most important Icelandic political institution, the ALTHINGI - a parliament dating back into the 10th century - was abolished in 1800.
With Denmark pursuing a foreign policy staunchly opposing England in the Napoleonic years - Copenhagen was attacked by the British Navy twice, in 1801 and 1807 and following - communication with Iceland was cut off.
In summer 1809, the Danish adventurer JØRGEN JØRGENSEN assumed the title of sovereign and protector of Iceland, claiming to act under British protection, declaring Danish rule to have ended and Iceland to become independent, under British protection; when it turned out that Britain was not involved, he was removed by the captain of a British ship, and after only two months Governor Greve af Trampe resumed the administration. From 1810 to 1813 the island was without a governor.
The short-lived coup of 1809 was an affair in which foreigners were involved - Danish officials as victims, Dane Jørgensen and his English associates as actors. Icelanders have taken mainly a passive position.






EXTERNAL
FILES 		Timeline Icelandic History, from Nordic Usenet ; a short timeline from Nordic History, posted by Johnny Blaesta
Travels in 19th Century Iceland, by Ed Jackson
DOCUMENTS Lists of Gouvernors, Governors-General etc. from World Statesmen by Ben Cahoon
REFERENCE Gunnar Karlsson, The History of Iceland, Univ. of Minnesota Press 2000, 384 pp.


This page is part of World History at KMLA
First posted in 2000, last revised on June 4th 2008

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