Patriotism, money and control

Abstract

This article analyses the strategies that were used to mobilize Norwegian seamen during the Second World War. The large Norwegian merchant fleet, and consequently the manning of it, was of great importance to the Allied war effort. Due to the German occupation of Norway, the mobilizing of seamen was implemented from exile. This strongly affected the Norwegian exile Government’s efforts for securing the participation of the seamen, with good help from the trade unions. In all phases of the war, the motivational factor that was considered most important to maintain among the seamen was the retrieval of a free Norway. Hence, various forms of propaganda were used to preserve this motivation. The wide range of mobilization tools also included the use of money, improvement of social and welfare benefits, and, most importantly, control and legal measures. Compared to earlier research in this field, this article argues that a broader strategy was used, and that the Allies, primarily represented by British authorities, played a more active role.