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You really should do Joseph McCarthy, one of the most fascist americans in existance whos sole goal in the world was to expose "commies", even going so far to accuse army staff of being it, only to be embarressed when his war stories turned out to be false and that he was just a phony doing it for political points.
@@magnificentfailure2390 Maybe, maybe not. I really didn't think that it was common knowledge outside of Norway that Quisling's name was synonomous with betrayal and treachery. I was really, really surprised when he said it and had to do a backtrack in the video. :p
Crueldevil it’ll forever be a stigma and rightfully so. What made quisling important internationally as a stigma is due to his lack and absence of importance and never did held any ideals. Yet he became the German representative and a figurehead and was given a position despite only being a cower front. He’s not only a synonym of traitorism, but also a testament how the Germans reworded National traitors for their cause.
*To call a person a ”Quisling” in Norway still holds the same shameful connotation to it as to call a person “Judas” in other countries around the world. Even though it’s not as commonly used nowadays; it still represents the ultimate deceit & betrayal.*
fun(?) fact: while it's common knowledge that Quisling was executed at Akershus fortress, the specific location is deliberately obscure, in order to prevent the location from becoming a pilgrim site for his sympathizers.
There's a Swedish (originally probably Norwegian) joke, I assume contemporary with the man: - Who are you? - I'm Quisling. - Sure, but what's your name?
Nice video. Fun fact: I'm Norwegian, and my grandfather and some of his friends was involved in the arrest of Quisling. They also made off with some souvenirs, like his gun, documents, resistance papers (I assume confiscated) and such. My father actually has Quislings SS ring, among other things. :)
I'm actually planning a small "documentary" photo project involving some of those items. I'm not superstitious in any way, those items, and especially that SS ring, has a creepy feel to them. Quisling was maybe the most hated man in Norway's history. That is, of course, until Anders Behring Breivik came along some years ago, sharing many of Quislings views. Seems we can't get rid of far right extremism... :(
@@TheRealMikeMichaels I must say it brings me joy (in the sense it makes my eyes bleed) when I see someone who is likely a socialist supporting institutions intended to benefit the wealthy to the detriment of the working class. The EU is not something socialists should support in its current form. I remember back in '99 when socialists were AGAINST these groups like the WTO, IMF, and World Bank. Battle of Seattle anyone? So many Starbucks and McDonald's windows broken to protest capitalist globalization.
Good video. I'm fascinated by the way Norway hung on to their nation. The King(s) fleeing to England and guiding the resistance is inspiring. Everything about Haakon VII was pretty amazing.
You should also look into King Haakon in the 1st World War, his neutrality stayed with him for a long time to protect Norwegian intrest. Alt For Norge!
Kind of similar to The Netherlands. The royal family fled to England and they along with the other Dutch who managed to escape the germans coordinated the resistance. Quite a few joined the RAF, parachuted back into occupied territory and organised guerrilla attacks on railways, German military posts etc.
It's like calling someone a cuck or an incel these days. I dunno maybe I've seen it used so often by human garbage that my eyes glaze over whenever I see someone use it.
When I was little, there was this elderly couple that my parents had met while being on vacation in the 70’s and then started traveling together with, my parents and I became the children and grandchild that the elderly couple never had of their own, and the elderly couple were truly like grandparents to me as my own grandparents were either not alive or unwell so we couldn’t really do things that many would normally get to do together with their grandparents. Either way, this elderly couple were like grandparents to me and we’d go out camping together and so on. This couple were both born in the early 1900’s, they were 82 (would have been 83 later that year) and 85 years old when they both passed away in 1995, so you could say that they got to see and experience a lot in their lifetimes. The man and his father were both railers who worked on the making of Inlandsbanan in Sweden way back. During WWII the woman’s family helped a Norwegian family in the north part of Norway, and through this couple, my parents and eventually I, also got to know the sisters of that Norwegian family that were helped during WWII. Up until this day the friendship has remained with the last surviving sister from the island of Senja, my parents and I do think she may have passed away now too from old age as we never heard from her last Christmas. But it’s just a friendship and legacy I’d like to put out there, a piece of history and beautiful friendship that lasted for so very many years. I think of this elderly couple often, and miss them to this day, I remember them and cherish the memories, and the memories of the 3 sisters in Norway who survived the war, with the help of a family in Sweden that resulted in a friendship for life between several families. If you ever have the chance to visit Senja, definitely go for it, it’s an absolutely beautiful island! I can also highly recommend the WWII museum in Narvik
My friends grandfather was part of the homefront in the city where we live. He was hiding in a small cabin in the forest next to a lake. It was him and 4 others. They were reported to the germans by a woman who was a nazi sympathiser. They were ambushed and he managed to save himself by hiding under the ice on the lake(frozen, then the water had sank, making a small dry pocket under the ice). His 4 friends were killed.
Not true. Our Norwegian government willingly submitted to nazi rule without any pushback whatsoever. We need to not forget this, lest we allow history to repeat itself next time we could be invaded.
@@oggbogg2 Most people always go on with their life in any ware though. Unless their home and livelyhood is destroyed. Or else you would have a complete colapse of the nation.
"I'd like to change my name" "Well, what is your name then?" "Vidkun Shitcreek" "Aahh, I see. So, what would you like your name to be?" "Benny Shitcreek".
I learned about this guy when I was in middle school, and I used to say that "quisling" was equivalent to "Benedict Arnold," but maybe it's more in line with "Judas."
Hey hey don't include Benedict Arnold in that group Benedict Arnold actually is beloved in the US up to a point he was instrumental in some battles of the American revolutionary War to the fact that his leg got blown off and Americans recovered his leg and they built a shrine for it that shrine still stands today
You guys should do one on Admiral Yi Sun-Shin, the Korean turtle ship hero. I feel like his story is missed by a lot of Westerners and would be perfect for this channel :)
I know this is going to strange but I first heard "Quisling" on Hogan's Heroes when referring to a traitor. For years I wondered was this something they created or something real. Thanks to your video I now know the story behind this.
No, he was for peace. He just wasn't National Socialist enough, but a hero nevertheless. Most people these days wouldn't recognize a real hero these days anyways... What do they know? Only what the global media corporations, education institutions and shills like Simon say.
@@tomorbataar5922 There's no doubt that Quisling was a man that wanted peace, fighting for neautrality. If we really want to see who betrayed Norway, look at Nygaardsvold's government. They had the most uneutral neutrality-politics favoring Britain you can have. And with their incomentence to building up the military, rather actually having a policy of demobilization, Norway was basically asking to get attacked, which is why both sides prepared. Germany came first and lost, therfore they and everyone who worked with them or supported them, or even just prefered them to the Britains would pay.
Loved this one. There are some corners of WWII that are not well known and you and your team cast a well-deserved light on this one. Maybe the Siege of Leningrad next?
My mother was born in Bergen at the beginning of the war. As a small child, hungry and ill, she was forbidden by her father to accept food from German soldiers.
This topic is missing a much needed second video about the prelude. Quisling's venture into the soviet union in the 20's is a terrifying but interesting story. The atrocities of the Russian revolution he witnessed in person and the reaction of his peers in Norway when he came back changed the view of the country and went into alert mode. Measures were taken to protect the kingdom against communism and a possible soviet invasion (swedes were also listening and also reacted because they knew they were first in line). An internal investigation was set on march, then a small terrorist cell was discovered, they were supported by the soviets and were plotting to assasinate the king and start a revolution (Tsar 2.0). Apparently they were sent to prison for life or either executed for treason against the crown and never again it was heard of them nor any other partisan revolutionaries. So, indirectly, Quisling served his nation and saved the king's life. Ultimately in 1940 he had to make the choice of calling the Germans, knowing they would someday leave; or; do nothing, let the allies invade (with the dear soviets in the mix) to use Norway primarily as a proxy naval base, knowing the British and the French would someday leave but also knowing the Russians would be there to stay (forever), then they would do their thing, eventually assasinate the king, the usual communist purges and then the holodomor endgame. A tough position indeed, but we all know Quisling wasn't going to wait for the latter and he took the initiative. I believe that Quisling's love for his people was legitimate and would have done what he believed to be the best for them but opportunistically becoming himself head of state came somewhat ambitious and who knows how power may have corrupted him. Don't take my random Internet comment for it. Do your own research, then go beyond the research and do a research about the research and you'll uncover even more. Love the Norway people and their main export: Black Metal. Peace!
First encountered the term Quisling in World War Z, and WOW what an incredible reference to actual world history. Had no idea that term was based on a real person.
Good video, but as a Norwegian I must say that Quisling's "government" had no legitimacy. Neither the King, the Storting (Norwegian Parliament) nor the Norwegian people had given Quisling any mandate. It would have made just as much sense if I had posted the phrase "I am Norway's Prime Minister" on Facebook now
Small idea: Now that you have touched upon one of Norways greatest traitors, could you make a video on some of the resistance movements in the Nordics? I'm Danish, so I only know Danish groups, but I think it is important to highlight those civillians who fought evil with their own life at stake (Many in Denmark also lost their lives, i.e. Hvidsten Group or the Flame and the Citron) Fun fact: Multiple major Danish resistance groups were offered to be honoured individually as one of the Righteous Among the Nations, but they all decided to be honoured as a combined force as to not make one group seem more important than the other!
How about a biography of Olof Palme? Anna Lindh, who was One of the women, who read a eulogy at his funeral, was also murdered in 2004, after keeping his memory and dedication alive with her actions.
Yes!!! This!! She was murdered in 2003 though, not 2004. I was only 5 years old when Anna Lindh was murdered but I still clearly remember Göran Persson's speech on TV that night.
I was born the year after the war ended, so I had a lot of reading matter left over from wartime. I can assure that everyone, at least in the English speaking world, knew his name and despised it. we knew that not only had he betrayed his country, but that he had licked the boots of the invaders and conspired in the murder of thousands of patriots. There was nobody in the entire world more thoroughly despised than Vidkun Quisling. Even Hitler and his gang had some love for their homeland as an excuse for their crimes. There was no excuse for Quisling.
I was introduced to this topic quite early. I think that I was in grade 4 when I borrowed a book on the Norwegian resistance movement. I suspect that it was an isolated event in my mind back then because we hadn’t been taught about the world wars yet. But I still remember it as an exciting read.
Interesting to think of the two men who witnessed famine in the Soviet Union, Nansen became the first High Commissioner for Refugees whilst the other became a Quisling
About time you did one on Quisling, but I do believe your saying his name wrong brother. All good I appreciate your videos, some time I learn new things you find on occasion. Keep up the good work!
Maybe I missed it in this presentation, but there appears to be no mention of Quisling’s work with Ukrainian famine relief (alongside Fridktoff Nanssen) and the award he received from the British Parliament for his work. He is still considered in very high regard in parts of Ukraine for this. Heros and villians are often far more complex than they first seem to be on the surface.
Nazis weren't really socialists, they lifted a hand full of ideas from socialism along with the name but really it was more of a branding shell game in a time when a lot of working class people were interested in socialism and they wanted to sell them the idea of ethnic nationalism.
It's actually an oxymoron, because the nation is the mother's tongue, while social clientship is about alliances with people who speak a different language. You can support both sides in a conflict, but not simultaneously in all matters.
@@Salgood There's bound to be tensions between the heartlands and satellites. They may not have the same citizenship, taxes may be different, and conscription may be different. Whenever a crisis arises, you need to pick a side.
@@Salgood Look, if you won't be honest about what you don't understand, there's no point continuing this conversation. I've made my case quite clearly.
Learned some very interesting things about my great grandfather not too long ago. My family had always told me he was friendly with the nazi's, but after looking into it, turns out he was appointed mayor in a small western town in occupied Norway, and sat 2,5 years in prison for treason
Stephen Wright yea he should but in the end of his life the video better put up a picture of a apc ( side note if you don’t know Diem died in a apc gun down by soldires i think)
I'm sad I didn't learn about Quisling in high school. Norway's role in WW2 was really glossed over. I didn't get an appreciation for their history until college. I learned about him at Campbell University a little over a decade ago... Mr. Haugen's grandparents had moved to Wisconsin before the war started. But he had a lot of stories to tell he learned from his parents and grandparents who had family stay behind in Europe during the war. He talked at length about Quisling during a lecture and one of my classmates said "That guy sounds like Benedict Arnold." Mr. Haugen said "yeah, exactly like that."
I love the photo taken in WW II, of two girls on the beach, in Norway, wearing bathing suits, with a big "Haakon VII" in big bold letters on their back. The caption said such resistance was common, and they would have been shot if discovered by the Nazi occupiers. They absolutely loved him.
@@danieleade9018 That’s.... not technically true. William of Denmark, or George I of Greece was voted for in a referendum to become King. He was not the most popular choice but he was the only one who didn’t say no
I may be mistaken but, if I remember correctly, everyone in the firing squad had bullets in their mag for Quisling's execution. This was unusual since the policy was usually to have most magazines firing blanks so none of the soldiers would know if they fired the killing shot. When Quisling died there was no shame in executing him, and all guns were loaded.
Harstad (mentioned at approximately 7 minutes in) is my hometown. I've grown up there, and lived most of my life there. I am fairly certain this is the first time I have EVER heard it mentioned in any international documentary-type thing ever. So thank you for that - it made me giggle! My grandfather came from Narvik, and he and his younger brother used to tell me stories about the war in Narvik. They were just little boys at the time - my grandfather barely in his teens, and my uncle a few years younger - but they still had stories. My great uncle used to love driving us around to different sites where he told of sunken ships or exploded bombs, or more everyday things. It was very exciting, and he was a fantastic source to use whenever we had to prepare presentations about the invasion of Narvik and the war in Norway at school! In comparison, my grandmother, who lived just outside Oslo (the capital) during the war, has never told a single story. "Oh, I didn't really experience anything special," she used to say whenever I asked.
I'm not sure if you guys take suggestions for but if you do I have a few names for future videos: Warren G. Hardening Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle Orson Welles Leni Riefenstahl Harold Lloyd Rudolf Hess
Thanks for publishing this video. Too many Americans never heard of Quisling. When I was growing up (1940's and 50's) the name Quisling was like Benedict Arnold to Americans, a synonym for "traitor." But it's a good bet that by now most American college students won't have heard of Quisling. Sadly, far too many probably never heard of Arnold either. They should.
good video! Just a few points I want to point out. you say and write "hoerd" for his guard. It is Hird (members are hirdmen), and it comes from old norse meaning life guard for king or nobleman. Fun fact. Quisling scored one of the highest marks at the millitary academy ever recorded. He was removed from his class photo in the hallways of the academy I remember some said.
Makes me sad if they no longer teach this, but i doubt that. I was definitly taught about it in the 90's and my brother was aswell in the 2000's. I find it far more likely that you didnt pay proper attention to the corriculum. No offence:)
As a Swede I am ashamed of many of the choices my government felt compelled to make during the war, and even more ashamed of our king Gustaf V's disgraceful support for Hitler and the nazi regime. But I am immensely proud of the actions of our beloved neighbors, the resilience and resistance of the Norwegian people, and of my fellow countrymen's actions to give refuge to the Norwegians and Danes who escaped the nazi terror. King Haakon never forgave our king for turning his back on our brethren and I cannot fault him for it.
“Quisling” is what Letterman calls Norm when he appeared on his show and norm said that the guy who fired him was a good guy. Letterman responds with, “ what you Quisling, the man just fired You.” That’s a great moment , recommend if you haven’t seen it you look it up.
Fun fact There was no other country that had so many German soldiers station during the war than Norway If you count by number of Norwegian citizens it had 3.1 million And their was upward of 400000 German soldiers stationed in Norway at one time so the invasion was domed from the start Just saying 🇧🇻
Im so proud of my fellow norwegian peoples of the past that so valiantly resisted the german occupation that they had to station 400,000 troops here throughout the war!
I found this video really integresting, but I feel you should have told about the areas that was hardest hit. East Finnmark that got burned to the ground, the second most bombed city in Europe (Kirkenes), the resistance of Partisanene, and that the Sovjet Union drove the Nazis out of the North. Otherwise, good episode!
Qusling comes from a family of bishops and priests in gjerpen, Norway. He is also buried at Gjerpen cemetery. I live 5 min away from his graveyard, and it strucks my head weekly over the fact that he lies there.
Quisling's life story is so utterly pathetic it would border on pity without the war crimes, crimes against humanity and selling out his own country to a monster for a tiny, tiny sliver of power
He organized humanitarian help in Russia during the civil war famine, but thats the only positive thing that i can think of. He still is, and should be a synonym for traitor though.
The irony in it is that he was quite gifted. He still holds the best grades at the Norwegian War Academy. He's the ultimate example of an intelligent idiot.
Well, remember that the british invasion of Norway was thwarted by the germans just as the british warships had set sail. Would the norwegian king and government have fought the british invaders or been traitors and collaborated with them? At least Quisling stayed with his people when the king and government fled to the country that would have become the enemy. It's quite ironical. Who would have been seen as traitors if the germans won and the british lost? Look at Norway today. Within a couple of decades the norwegians will become a minority in their own country. One may ask oneself who the real traitors were (and are).
@@Gumbypotty If the British had invaded the Norwegians would probably not resisted. Look at how the people of Iceland reacted to the the British invasion. Britain was on the right side. Most Norwegians understood this in 1940. They would have protested a British invasion, but would not have been willing to fight against the British.
@Eirik Belisarius, exactly, the norwegian royal family and government wouldn't have had anything against betraying Norway and becoming another colony of the British empire. You know that the brits controlled 25% or the World and oppressed and plundered millions and millions of people in Asia and Africa. Many of those people's tried to resist the British military but got slaughtered.
Has Simon done a thing specifically on the Lebensborn children of Norway? While the resolve of the Norwegian population is admirable, their treatment of innocent children who had no say in their own birth was inexcusable. There's actually an app/game where you play as someone who adopted one of those children. It's very good.
Making bargains with the devil never works out well in the end. It’s sad that women who were forced and the children that they conceived were treated the way they were. This also happened in Bosnia and the women and children were shunned. I will never understand why this is done. Many of these women had no choice and the babies are completely innocent.
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It's really obvious that Simon isn't a gamer, stop forcing it please.
@@eoindevlin6470 It's just advertising, you don't have to be that upset.
Even though I'll not be able to play it due to lack of time, I still registred myself only to help you.
You really should do Joseph McCarthy, one of the most fascist americans in existance whos sole goal in the world was to expose "commies", even going so far to accuse army staff of being it, only to be embarressed when his war stories turned out to be false and that he was just a phony doing it for political points.
I can't find it through Google:
Orden and Corell. Who were they?
You know you betrayed your country hard when your own name becomes synonymous with betrayal
Around the world.
@@SpiderkillersInc based username
In the USA we have Benedict Arnold
@@williamcraig1158 There is also Ephialtes in Greece.
@@williamcraig1158 You still have Joe Biden
In Norway, if you betray someone, people may say you're doing "A Quisling." So, his betrayal still holds stigma.
I wrote this before he said it in the video. Don't blame me.
@@crueldevil3541 Never comment before watching the whole video. It's just rude.
:P
@@magnificentfailure2390 Maybe, maybe not. I really didn't think that it was common knowledge outside of Norway that Quisling's name was synonomous with betrayal and treachery. I was really, really surprised when he said it and had to do a backtrack in the video. :p
Crueldevil it’ll forever be a stigma and rightfully so. What made quisling important internationally as a stigma is due to his lack and absence of importance and never did held any ideals. Yet he became the German representative and a figurehead and was given a position despite only being a cower front. He’s not only a synonym of traitorism, but also a testament how the Germans reworded National traitors for their cause.
I see why. Kind of the same in the USA with the name Benedict Arnold.
*To call a person a ”Quisling” in Norway still holds the same shameful connotation to it as to call a person “Judas” in other countries around the world. Even though it’s not as commonly used nowadays; it still represents the ultimate deceit & betrayal.*
in sweden its more like traitor to the nation and is only really used by nazis which is a bit ironic
That occurs in other countrys also, I've heard people use it in Sweden and in England
The term "Quisling" is also used outside of Norway to refer to a traitor.
It's similar to calling someone a Benedict Arnold in America.
Also in Denmark.
fun(?) fact: while it's common knowledge that Quisling was executed at Akershus fortress, the specific location is deliberately obscure, in order to prevent the location from becoming a pilgrim site for his sympathizers.
or people who want to lay a nasty brick on his grave
@@calpatus1149 I doubt they even buried him...
@@AnnabelRoss6789 if his body got incinerated and scattered somewhere then I hope its inhabited by seagulls with vile digestive diseases
His grave is at Gjerpen Church.
Fun Fact. I've got a picture of the divet in the stone wall where he was shot.
Quisling is such a great name for a traitor. It sounds slippery and devious, like a name for the worst kind of snake.
Nominative determinism at its finest.
You mean it sounds swedish c:
Winston Churchill said as much.
The manliest and most patriotic politician Norway ever had.
Sort of like trump.
Benedict Arnold: "I'm going to be the most famous traitor in history"
Vidkun Quisling: "Yeah, um....about that...."
Lol
@@stevenkreiss2113 lol
Hold my Aquavit
Wang Jingwei: Hold my Qingdao Beer.
Judus
There's a Swedish (originally probably Norwegian) joke, I assume contemporary with the man:
- Who are you?
- I'm Quisling.
- Sure, but what's your name?
It's a real humdinger ;]
Quisling: ”Jag är Quisling.”
Adjutanten: ”Och namnet?”
LØL
Lœl
Please explain it. I dont understand honestly I'm confused and dont know
Please....
Its so Scandinavian to fight an occupying enemy force by being passive aggressive and giving the cold shoulder.
You would think the war is still on judging by public transport.
Isn't everything cold in Scandinavia? ❄️😂
I'll stop now
except w/ migrants I guess
You know they will become nervous and try to talk first. Also the cold will bite them harder than us unless they are Russians...
NorthernLights ofDemons I agree w/ you. Norway needs nationalism.
Nice video. Fun fact: I'm Norwegian, and my grandfather and some of his friends was involved in the arrest of Quisling. They also made off with some souvenirs, like his gun, documents, resistance papers (I assume confiscated) and such. My father actually has Quislings SS ring, among other things. :)
You've got that great Viking hair. How very metal of you, dude.
Aw sorry, that's an older picture. I cut it a while back. :P
Wow! You're definitely linked to a key part of history! Awesome!
I'm actually planning a small "documentary" photo project involving some of those items. I'm not superstitious in any way, those items, and especially that SS ring, has a creepy feel to them.
Quisling was maybe the most hated man in Norway's history. That is, of course, until Anders Behring Breivik came along some years ago, sharing many of Quislings views.
Seems we can't get rid of far right extremism... :(
@@EirikBull Aw, damn. Welp, with time you can get it back to Viking Death Metal mode! 🖤🤘🏾👀🤤
Sometimes the enemy of your enemy is also your enemy.
@pakistan
And thus Quisling became an insult in Norway
Not just Norway. Was used in Britain in 60's I remember, plus Declan McManus/ E.Costello used it in a song in 70's.
@@rickh3714 Farage famously used it to sum up Nick Clegg too.
In Ex-Yugoslavia words traitor and Quisling are used equaly.
@@kevinh4869 No, the EU is good
@@TheRealMikeMichaels I must say it brings me joy (in the sense it makes my eyes bleed) when I see someone who is likely a socialist supporting institutions intended to benefit the wealthy to the detriment of the working class. The EU is not something socialists should support in its current form. I remember back in '99 when socialists were AGAINST these groups like the WTO, IMF, and World Bank. Battle of Seattle anyone? So many Starbucks and McDonald's windows broken to protest capitalist globalization.
"Fridtjof Nansen, an explorer..."
Ah, you're British...
hahahaha
hæhæhæ
Haha!
I don't get the funny haha joke
@@twoscarabsintheswarm9055 Google Nansen... Explorer is a little tame as a description of this powerhouse of a man!
1:40 - Chapter 1 - Vidkun the ambitious
5:10 - Chapter 2 - Vidkun the deluded
9:40 - Chapter 3 - Vidkun the puppet
12:50 - Mid roll ads
14:30 - Chapter 4 - The home front
17:25 - Chapter 5 - Set norway ablaze !
19:55 - Chapter 6 - Curtain falls
22:35 - Chapter 7 - The moon is down
Good video. I'm fascinated by the way Norway hung on to their nation. The King(s) fleeing to England and guiding the resistance is inspiring. Everything about Haakon VII was pretty amazing.
Except for one thing. He did not attend the Nobel Prize ceremony for Carl von Ossietzky in 1936. The only time he didn't. That's pretty crappy of him.
If you're ever in Oslo, visit the Resistance museum. One of the best museums I've ever seen.
You should also look into King Haakon in the 1st World War, his neutrality stayed with him for a long time to protect Norwegian intrest. Alt For Norge!
Kind of similar to The Netherlands. The royal family fled to England and they along with the other Dutch who managed to escape the germans coordinated the resistance. Quite a few joined the RAF, parachuted back into occupied territory and organised guerrilla attacks on railways, German military posts etc.
So Was hes son Olav Brilliant man.
I like how his surname Quisling has it's own meaning now. It even has a Wikipedia page.
Yup, the norwegian equivalent of Benedict Arnold, but more recent XD
Really? I'm shocked.
It's like calling someone a cuck or an incel these days.
I dunno maybe I've seen it used so often by human garbage that my eyes glaze over whenever I see someone use it.
Trump supporter = Quisling
Chode Master douchebagary confirmed
When I was little, there was this elderly couple that my parents had met while being on vacation in the 70’s and then started traveling together with, my parents and I became the children and grandchild that the elderly couple never had of their own, and the elderly couple were truly like grandparents to me as my own grandparents were either not alive or unwell so we couldn’t really do things that many would normally get to do together with their grandparents. Either way, this elderly couple were like grandparents to me and we’d go out camping together and so on. This couple were both born in the early 1900’s, they were 82 (would have been 83 later that year) and 85 years old when they both passed away in 1995, so you could say that they got to see and experience a lot in their lifetimes. The man and his father were both railers who worked on the making of Inlandsbanan in Sweden way back. During WWII the woman’s family helped a Norwegian family in the north part of Norway, and through this couple, my parents and eventually I, also got to know the sisters of that Norwegian family that were helped during WWII. Up until this day the friendship has remained with the last surviving sister from the island of Senja, my parents and I do think she may have passed away now too from old age as we never heard from her last Christmas. But it’s just a friendship and legacy I’d like to put out there, a piece of history and beautiful friendship that lasted for so very many years. I think of this elderly couple often, and miss them to this day, I remember them and cherish the memories, and the memories of the 3 sisters in Norway who survived the war, with the help of a family in Sweden that resulted in a friendship for life between several families. If you ever have the chance to visit Senja, definitely go for it, it’s an absolutely beautiful island! I can also highly recommend the WWII museum in Narvik
how is this relevant to the video?
Senja mafian on top 👍👍😎😎
My friends grandfather was part of the homefront in the city where we live. He was hiding in a small cabin in the forest next to a lake. It was him and 4 others. They were reported to the germans by a woman who was a nazi sympathiser. They were ambushed and he managed to save himself by hiding under the ice on the lake(frozen, then the water had sank, making a small dry pocket under the ice). His 4 friends were killed.
Jeezus
But the Norwegians largely resisted Nazi rule with valor. That should be remembered.
Makes me proud to be Norwegian!
Lots of collaboration as well. Only a few actually took up arms against the nazis. Most people got on with their life.
Not true. Our Norwegian government willingly submitted to nazi rule without any pushback whatsoever. We need to not forget this, lest we allow history to repeat itself next time we could be invaded.
@@oggbogg2 Most people always go on with their life in any ware though. Unless their home and livelyhood is destroyed. Or else you would have a complete colapse of the nation.
Thomas Affolter unfortunately we have a lot of dark history such as cooperation from police to gather all most Jews that had fled before 9th of April.
"I'd like to change my name"
"Well, what is your name then?"
"Vidkun Shitcreek"
"Aahh, I see. So, what would you like your name to be?"
"Benny Shitcreek".
I learned about this guy when I was in middle school, and I used to say that "quisling" was equivalent to "Benedict Arnold," but maybe it's more in line with "Judas."
Nah, you can find excuses for Benedict Arnold and Judas. There is non with Quisling. He's the worst of the bunch.
Imagine naming your child “Judas Benedict Arnold Quisling”
@@coyotelong4349 yep I'm stealing this
@@coyotelong4349 "i want my kid to get his ass kicked immediately"
Hey hey don't include Benedict Arnold in that group Benedict Arnold actually is beloved in the US up to a point
he was instrumental in some battles of the American revolutionary War to the fact that his leg got blown off and Americans recovered his leg and they built a shrine for it that shrine still stands today
You guys should do one on Admiral Yi Sun-Shin, the Korean turtle ship hero. I feel like his story is missed by a lot of Westerners and would be perfect for this channel :)
Yeah, and I actually likes Extra Credits’ retell of Yi. But would be cool to hear Simon’s retell on him
I second this great suggestion!
Carly Park
Only Koreans care about him.
Danil minjok.
Everyone who played Age of Empires 2 knows.
Sounds cool.
I know this is going to strange but I first heard "Quisling" on Hogan's Heroes when referring to a traitor. For years I wondered was this something they created or something real. Thanks to your video I now know the story behind this.
"Quisling" was a popular synonym for traitor in the Seattle area back in the 1970s when I was kid...
That's when Ballard was still populated by actual Nordic folk, not self-worshipping, gentrifying hipsters.
@@QuadMochaMatti You also found them up and down the Green River Valley, now that you mention it...
Seattleite here and I grew up in the same era. You are absolutely right. People forget that Seattle has a fair sized Scandinavian population.
That's interesting man
The fact that he set off on his life path after working alongside a Nobel laureate for peace is mind numbingly ironic.
No, he was for peace. He just wasn't National Socialist enough, but a hero nevertheless. Most people these days wouldn't recognize a real hero these days anyways... What do they know? Only what the global media corporations, education institutions and shills like Simon say.
@@stormrider1375 Fucking cringe comment right here. But that's what traitors do I guess. H7.
@@tomorbataar5922 There's no doubt that Quisling was a man that wanted peace, fighting for neautrality. If we really want to see who betrayed Norway, look at Nygaardsvold's government. They had the most uneutral neutrality-politics favoring Britain you can have. And with their incomentence to building up the military, rather actually having a policy of demobilization, Norway was basically asking to get attacked, which is why both sides prepared. Germany came first and lost, therfore they and everyone who worked with them or supported them, or even just prefered them to the Britains would pay.
@@DarthVader-om5rg Good good, let the cringe flow through you.
@@tomorbataar5922 It makes me stronger ;)
Poe, Charlemagne, Chamberlain, Archimedes, and now Quisling. You guys have been on a roll lately, keep it up!
You should do a biographic on Gunnar Sonsteby. He was Quislings main opponent as a major figure in the norwegian resistance movement.
Had the great honor of meeting Gunnar Sønsteby in 2009. He came to our high school and told stories from the war - it was amazing!
Isn't his name synonymous with treason now? Like you call someone a quisling?
The video said that...
BadWebDiver yes, and several times.
Yeah it's been used in English since 1940, pretty much as long as in Norwegian👍
my great grandfather was one of the people who executed quisling
Og du er altså stolt av at oldefar din skaut ein våpenlaus mann som stod på knea sine?
That scene in billions where Bobby Axelrod says " I'll find the quisling " makes sense now. Thanks a lot . Excellent work
Loved this one. There are some corners of WWII that are not well known and you and your team cast a well-deserved light on this one. Maybe the Siege of Leningrad next?
My mother was born in Bergen at the beginning of the war. As a small child, hungry and ill, she was forbidden by her father to accept food from German soldiers.
This topic is missing a much needed second video about the prelude.
Quisling's venture into the soviet union in the 20's is a terrifying but interesting story.
The atrocities of the Russian revolution he witnessed in person and the reaction of his peers in Norway when he came back changed the view of the country and went into alert mode. Measures were taken to protect the kingdom against communism and a possible soviet invasion (swedes were also listening and also reacted because they knew they were first in line). An internal investigation was set on march, then a small terrorist cell was discovered, they were supported by the soviets and were plotting to assasinate the king and start a revolution (Tsar 2.0). Apparently they were sent to prison for life or either executed for treason against the crown and never again it was heard of them nor any other partisan revolutionaries.
So, indirectly, Quisling served his nation and saved the king's life.
Ultimately in 1940 he had to make the choice of calling the Germans, knowing they would someday leave; or; do nothing, let the allies invade (with the dear soviets in the mix) to use Norway primarily as a proxy naval base, knowing the British and the French would someday leave but also knowing the Russians would be there to stay (forever), then they would do their thing, eventually assasinate the king, the usual communist purges and then the holodomor endgame. A tough position indeed, but we all know Quisling wasn't going to wait for the latter and he took the initiative.
I believe that Quisling's love for his people was legitimate and would have done what he believed to be the best for them but opportunistically becoming himself head of state came somewhat ambitious and who knows how power may have corrupted him.
Don't take my random Internet comment for it. Do your own research, then go beyond the research and do a research about the research and you'll uncover even more.
Love the Norway people and their main export: Black Metal.
Peace!
First encountered the term Quisling in World War Z, and WOW what an incredible reference to actual world history. Had no idea that term was based on a real person.
Glad you read the book instead of seeing the movie lol
Underrated book
Can you do one about Robert Mugabe ?
He just died a few days ago
Duarte Azevedo Not interesting? He’s one of the worst dictators of Africa lol there’s plenty to talk about
@@weshayes553 Mugabe is also a perfect example of black on white racism, which apparently cannot exist.
Nelson Mandela would be a much better biographic Robert Mugabe
@@FozzQuaker Boring.
The name Quisling reminds me of the Swedish word for chicken : "Kyckling", and always makes me laugh.
Good video, but as a Norwegian I must say that Quisling's "government" had no legitimacy. Neither the King, the Storting (Norwegian Parliament) nor the Norwegian people had given Quisling any mandate.
It would have made just as much sense if I had posted the phrase "I am Norway's Prime Minister" on Facebook now
Hey man, I stumbled upon your videos a couple days ago. As a history junkie, I've been binge watching this channel. Fantastic work!
Small idea: Now that you have touched upon one of Norways greatest traitors, could you make a video on some of the resistance movements in the Nordics?
I'm Danish, so I only know Danish groups, but I think it is important to highlight those civillians who fought evil with their own life at stake (Many in Denmark also lost their lives, i.e. Hvidsten Group or the Flame and the Citron)
Fun fact: Multiple major Danish resistance groups were offered to be honoured individually as one of the Righteous Among the Nations, but they all decided to be honoured as a combined force as to not make one group seem more important than the other!
The assorted anti-Nazi Resistance groups including The White Rose have always been heroes/heroines of mine.
How about a biography of Olof Palme?
Anna Lindh, who was One of the women, who read a eulogy at his funeral, was also murdered in 2004, after keeping his memory and dedication alive with her actions.
Yes!!! This!! She was murdered in 2003 though, not 2004. I was only 5 years old when Anna Lindh was murdered but I still clearly remember Göran Persson's speech on TV that night.
I was born the year after the war ended, so I had a lot of reading matter left over from wartime. I can assure that everyone, at least in the English speaking world, knew his name and despised it. we knew that not only had he betrayed his country, but that he had licked the boots of the invaders and conspired in the murder of thousands of patriots. There was nobody in the entire world more thoroughly despised than Vidkun Quisling. Even Hitler and his gang had some love for their homeland as an excuse for their crimes. There was no excuse for Quisling.
I was introduced to this topic quite early. I think that I was in grade 4 when I borrowed a book on the Norwegian resistance movement. I suspect that it was an isolated event in my mind back then because we hadn’t been taught about the world wars yet. But I still remember it as an exciting read.
The dislikes are from Quisling sympathizers
I agree with you.
Yes.
Never knew he had any sympathizers or supporters.
Interesting to think of the two men who witnessed famine in the Soviet Union, Nansen became the first High Commissioner for Refugees whilst the other became a Quisling
Informative and interesting as always! The only thing I have an issue with was that I thought the narration went too fast for my tastes.
About time you did one on Quisling, but I do believe your saying his name wrong brother. All good I appreciate your videos, some time I learn new things you find on occasion. Keep up the good work!
Admin Imer it’s pretty damn straight forward, though? “vid-kun kviss-ling”?
Maybe I missed it in this presentation, but there appears to be no mention of Quisling’s work with Ukrainian famine relief (alongside Fridktoff Nanssen) and the award he received from the British Parliament for his work. He is still considered in very high regard in parts of Ukraine for this. Heros and villians are often far more complex than they first seem to be on the surface.
He helped Ukraine he has been Redeemed.🤗🤗🤗🤗
That’s right Johnny! He’s a good man. And a good Christian.
History is written by the victors, they character assassinated Quisling after his death and eviscerated him in fiction!
Nazis weren't really socialists, they lifted a hand full of ideas from socialism along with the name but really it was more of a branding shell game in a time when a lot of working class people were interested in socialism and they wanted to sell them the idea of ethnic nationalism.
It's actually an oxymoron, because the nation is the mother's tongue, while social clientship is about alliances with people who speak a different language. You can support both sides in a conflict, but not simultaneously in all matters.
@@SleekMinister What are you talking about? Both sides?
@@Salgood There's bound to be tensions between the heartlands and satellites. They may not have the same citizenship, taxes may be different, and conscription may be different. Whenever a crisis arises, you need to pick a side.
@@SleekMinister what the hell are you taking about?
@@Salgood Look, if you won't be honest about what you don't understand, there's no point continuing this conversation. I've made my case quite clearly.
I've always found fascist counterparts to Hitler and Mussolini fascinating stories. Next do Anton Mussert or Oswald Mosley.
Ion Antonescu? Codreanu?
Mosley was a top lad.
Mosley was a hero.
Mosley is a fascinating story to examine, but I have no time for his admirers!
@@Edmonton-of2ec Yes Codreanu!
Learned some very interesting things about my great grandfather not too long ago. My family had always told me he was friendly with the nazi's, but after looking into it, turns out he was appointed mayor in a small western town in occupied Norway, and sat 2,5 years in prison for treason
im norwegian born and raised, and your norwegian is better then most people moving here to live, and have lived for years
Quick request: Ngo Dinh Diem. I know nothing about his childhood or education.
Stephen Wright yea he should but in the end of his life the video better put up a picture of a apc ( side note if you don’t know Diem died in a apc gun down by soldires i think)
Hmm me neither xd
I'm sad I didn't learn about Quisling in high school. Norway's role in WW2 was really glossed over. I didn't get an appreciation for their history until college. I learned about him at Campbell University a little over a decade ago... Mr. Haugen's grandparents had moved to Wisconsin before the war started. But he had a lot of stories to tell he learned from his parents and grandparents who had family stay behind in Europe during the war. He talked at length about Quisling during a lecture and one of my classmates said "That guy sounds like Benedict Arnold." Mr. Haugen said "yeah, exactly like that."
Will you ever cover King Haakon VII? He was Norway's most incredible King
Oh yes please! Seconded!
The only monarch elected by the people in Europe. Very impressive.
I love the photo taken in WW II, of two girls on the beach, in Norway, wearing bathing suits, with a big "Haakon VII" in big bold letters on their back. The caption said such resistance was common, and they would have been shot if discovered by the Nazi occupiers. They absolutely loved him.
@@danieleade9018 That’s.... not technically true. William of Denmark, or George I of Greece was voted for in a referendum to become King. He was not the most popular choice but he was the only one who didn’t say no
I may be mistaken but, if I remember correctly, everyone in the firing squad had bullets in their mag for Quisling's execution. This was unusual since the policy was usually to have most magazines firing blanks so none of the soldiers would know if they fired the killing shot. When Quisling died there was no shame in executing him, and all guns were loaded.
He went to my high school. I think he held the record for best grades from that school for the next 75 years, so a pretty sharp guy
Makes what he did with his life an even bigger waste then.
Your Mama@@michaelt.5672
Calling someone a Quisling is a huge insult. He cucked out to mass murderers.
Harstad (mentioned at approximately 7 minutes in) is my hometown. I've grown up there, and lived most of my life there. I am fairly certain this is the first time I have EVER heard it mentioned in any international documentary-type thing ever. So thank you for that - it made me giggle!
My grandfather came from Narvik, and he and his younger brother used to tell me stories about the war in Narvik. They were just little boys at the time - my grandfather barely in his teens, and my uncle a few years younger - but they still had stories.
My great uncle used to love driving us around to different sites where he told of sunken ships or exploded bombs, or more everyday things. It was very exciting, and he was a fantastic source to use whenever we had to prepare presentations about the invasion of Narvik and the war in Norway at school!
In comparison, my grandmother, who lived just outside Oslo (the capital) during the war, has never told a single story. "Oh, I didn't really experience anything special," she used to say whenever I asked.
Man have been waiting for a biographics vid on Quisling since the channel started!
Hello from Barcelona!! Great work as usual, folks! May I suggest you do a piece on the WWII British Commandos Corps? Cheers!
Thank you so much for this! Currently doing a paper on VIdkun Quisling and got exactly what I needed:)
Can you do a video on the White Rose?
"I sold my country to the devil. though it was a crappy deal, it came with a few happy mealls"
Man you joking but them chicken nuggets be too good
Can you do one on the leaders of the Nazi movement in Sweden?
And one on the leaders of the völkisch Party in Germany?
And one on Alfred Rosenberg?
What's to say about Rosenberg? He was a stupid, deluded "philosopher" who had the same birthday as Hermann Goering.
@@pyromania1018 And almost had the same death day.
I love how Simon says “Empire”. Em-pi-yarr, Lol.
My grandfather was a intelligence officer with the XU, for the King and Country. Never fought, but spied on German naval ports in Norway.
Have you already done a video on Oswald Mosley? If not, you should please
I see the title already: Sir Oswald Mosley a literally Satan incarnate
@@johnconstantine592 yup, he's an interesting character though
@@Thatonedude082 He's one of the greats.
You are very very good at showing how history happened.
I really enjoy watching your videos. They are very educational.
I'm not sure if you guys take suggestions for but if you do I have a few names for future videos:
Warren G. Hardening
Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle
Orson Welles
Leni Riefenstahl
Harold Lloyd
Rudolf Hess
There might be one on Rudolph Hess already, if I’m not mistaken
Warren G. Hardening. OwO
@@ashkitt7719 Based on what I've heard about his escapades in the bedroom, that name may be fitting
Hans Scharff, the most effective interrogator of WWII. That's a story to tell.
Thanks for publishing this video. Too many Americans never heard of Quisling. When I was growing up (1940's and 50's) the name Quisling was like Benedict Arnold to Americans, a synonym for "traitor." But it's a good bet that by now most American college students won't have heard of Quisling. Sadly, far too many probably never heard of Arnold either. They should.
I love your channel and I cant wait for the next episode
good video! Just a few points I want to point out. you say and write "hoerd" for his guard. It is Hird (members are hirdmen), and it comes from old norse meaning life guard for king or nobleman. Fun fact. Quisling scored one of the highest marks at the millitary academy ever recorded. He was removed from his class photo in the hallways of the academy I remember some said.
I like that even though I have been a Norwegian student for 12 years I have never learned so much about Quisling.
Makes me sad if they no longer teach this, but i doubt that. I was definitly taught about it in the 90's and my brother was aswell in the 2000's. I find it far more likely that you didnt pay proper attention to the corriculum. No offence:)
@@kongvinter33 hadde du Norsk språkundervisning?
So we’re all gonna act like this isn’t Hitler without a mustache
He did save many Ukranians as a humanitarian. In the Ukraine, you can find many households with his picture.
As a Swede I am ashamed of many of the choices my government felt compelled to make during the war, and even more ashamed of our king Gustaf V's disgraceful support for Hitler and the nazi regime. But I am immensely proud of the actions of our beloved neighbors, the resilience and resistance of the Norwegian people, and of my fellow countrymen's actions to give refuge to the Norwegians and Danes who escaped the nazi terror. King Haakon never forgave our king for turning his back on our brethren and I cannot fault him for it.
The Chinese equivalent is Wang Jingwei (汪精衛).
“Quisling” is what Letterman calls Norm when he appeared on his show and norm said that the guy who fired him was a good guy. Letterman responds with, “ what you Quisling, the man just fired You.” That’s a great moment , recommend if you haven’t seen it you look it up.
That’s what made me click on this video!
Biography of You Johnny Sins, RUclipsr, Astronomer, Doctor, Actor and Driver.
Lmao
Fun fact
There was no other country that had so many German soldiers station during the war than Norway
If you count by number of Norwegian citizens it had 3.1 million
And their was upward of 400000 German soldiers stationed in Norway at one time so the invasion was domed from the start
Just saying 🇧🇻
Im so proud of my fellow norwegian peoples of the past that so valiantly resisted the german occupation that they had to station 400,000 troops here throughout the war!
May i reccomend a movie called The Kings Choice?
"... Quisling was executed on the 24th of October, 1945." Excellent! But where's the video?!
A Norwegian was asked : Who is your Quisling? , he answered : We got the original
I found this video really integresting, but I feel you should have told about the areas that was hardest hit. East Finnmark that got burned to the ground, the second most bombed city in Europe (Kirkenes), the resistance of Partisanene, and that the Sovjet Union drove the Nazis out of the North. Otherwise, good episode!
Qusling comes from a family of bishops and priests in gjerpen, Norway. He is also buried at Gjerpen cemetery. I live 5 min away from his graveyard, and it strucks my head weekly over the fact that he lies there.
Quisling's life story is so utterly pathetic it would border on pity without the war crimes, crimes against humanity and selling out his own country to a monster for a tiny, tiny sliver of power
He organized humanitarian help in Russia during the civil war famine, but thats the only positive thing that i can think of. He still is, and should be a synonym for traitor though.
The irony in it is that he was quite gifted. He still holds the best grades at the Norwegian War Academy. He's the ultimate example of an intelligent idiot.
Well, remember that the british invasion of Norway was thwarted by the germans just as the british warships had set sail. Would the norwegian king and government have fought the british invaders or been traitors and collaborated with them?
At least Quisling stayed with his people when the king and government fled to the country that would have become the enemy. It's quite ironical. Who would have been seen as traitors if the germans won and the british lost?
Look at Norway today. Within a couple of decades the norwegians will become a minority in their own country. One may ask oneself who the real traitors were (and are).
@@Gumbypotty If the British had invaded the Norwegians would probably not resisted. Look at how the people of Iceland reacted to the the British invasion. Britain was on the right side. Most Norwegians understood this in 1940. They would have protested a British invasion, but would not have been willing to fight against the British.
@Eirik Belisarius, exactly, the norwegian royal family and government wouldn't have had anything against betraying Norway and becoming another colony of the British empire. You know that the brits controlled 25% or the World and oppressed and plundered millions and millions of people in Asia and Africa. Many of those people's tried to resist the British military but got slaughtered.
Has Simon done a thing specifically on the Lebensborn children of Norway? While the resolve of the Norwegian population is admirable, their treatment of innocent children who had no say in their own birth was inexcusable. There's actually an app/game where you play as someone who adopted one of those children. It's very good.
When is British Glasses Bald Man starting a War Thunder Let's Play Channel?
Great video 😊 One minor thing. Terboven used a 35 kg barrel of hexogene/tnt for his suicide, not a handgrenade.
I assume there was very little of him left to be buried after that! Good grief!
Making bargains with the devil never works out well in the end.
It’s sad that women who were forced and the children that they conceived were treated the way they were. This also happened in Bosnia and the women and children were shunned. I will never understand why this is done. Many of these women had no choice and the babies are completely innocent.
"...you can also play as a boat, but not here because there is no water"
Love this channel but man this has to be one of my favorite lines lmao
Another person whose name was later became a word to describe something was “Boycott”.
Quisling is the name given in the novel World War Z to people who lost their minds and essentially started acting like zombies themselves.
Probably your best video. How about Louis Riel? Leader of the Metis in Manitoba. Not well known internationally but a universal story.
Terboven's opinion on Quisling: "Stupid in square"...
Naming your child Vidkun is still illegal in Norway to this day!
Like informally or literally? Afaik even the name adolf isn't literally illegal in Russia
Probably all individuals who possess the surname Quisling have changed their surname to escape from the stigma.
first time i heard the term "quisling" was in "world war Z" the book
alex rodriguez yep, they were the ones who viewed zombiism as the next logical step in human evolution