ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Icelandic independence movement

The Icelandic independence movement is all about the people of Iceland wanting to have their own country and be in charge of their own decisions. Before Iceland became independent, it was a part of Denmark, a different country. But the people of Iceland wanted to have their own government and be able to make their own rules.

So, a long time ago, in the early 20th century, the Icelandic people started to fight for their independence from Denmark. They wanted to be able to make decisions about their economy, laws, and everything else that happens in the country. They believed that they could do a better job taking care of Iceland on their own.

To make their voices heard, the Icelandic people organized protests and demonstrations. They would come together and march in the streets, holding signs and shouting slogans to show the world how much they wanted their independence.

The people also elected representatives to speak for them and negotiate with Denmark. These representatives would meet with Danish officials and explain why Iceland should be a separate country. They would argue that Iceland has its own unique culture, language, and traditions that should be preserved and protected.

After a lot of hard work and negotiations, the Icelandic people finally achieved their goal. On December 1, 1918, Iceland became a sovereign state, which means it had the power to govern itself. However, Denmark still had control over Iceland's foreign affairs, meaning they made decisions about relations with other countries.

But the Icelandic people didn't stop there. They continued to fight for complete independence, and in 1944, they succeeded. On June 17, 1944, Iceland became a fully independent country, with its own government and the right to make all decisions on its own.

Since then, Iceland has thrived as an independent nation. It has grown economically, developed its own laws, and built a strong sense of national identity. The people of Iceland are proud of their independence and continue to work together to make their country even better.

So, the Icelandic independence movement was all about the people of Iceland wanting to be able to make their own decisions and govern themselves. They fought for their independence by protesting, electing representatives, and negotiating with Denmark. And eventually, after years of hard work, they achieved their goal and became a fully independent country.