Present-day Norway is populated by germanic tribes since the seventeenth century BC. These tribes evolute into the tribe of the Vikings. In the seventh, eight and ninth century the Vikings rule large areas around the north, conquer Ireland and Normandy and explorer even Turkey, Sicily, Russia and North America. The Vikings of Norway are united in the Kingdom of Norway in 872. The Norwegian royal line dies out in 1387,Norway gets in a personal union with Denmark and since 1397 also with Sweden. Since 1450 Norway, although nominally a kingdom, is part of Denmark.

The union with Denmark ends in 1814 and a personal union with Sweden is formed. The first prime minister is Frederik Stang from Høyre (Right) between 1873 and 1880. He is succeeded by Christian August Selmer (1880-1994). The Høyre rule ends in 1884 when liberal leader Johan Sverdrup of Venstre (Left) becomes prime minister. Høyre and Venstre alternate in office, with Emil Stang (1889-1891, Høyre). Johannes Wilhelm Christian Steen (1891-1893, Venstre), Stang again (1893-1895), Georg Francis Hagerup (1895-1898), Steen again (1898-1902), Otto Albert Blehr (1902-1903, Venstre) and Georg Francis Hagerup (1903-1905, Høyre). Hagerup leads a all-party coalition.

The union persists until 1905, when Sweden recognizes the independent Kingdom of Norway. The Norwegian government offers the throne of Norway to Danish prince Carl in 1905. After a plebiscite approving the establishment of a monarchy, the parliament unanimously elected him king. Peter Christian Hersleb Michelsen of Venstre becomes that year prime minister, succeeded in 1907 by Jørgen Gunnarson Løvland in a coaltion of Høyre with part of Venstre, in 1908 by Aanon Gunnar Knudsen of Venstre and in 1910 by Wollert Konow (Frisenedde Venstre, Freethinking Left). In 1912 Jens Kristian Meinich Bratlie of Høyre forms the government, but Venstre resumes office with Aanon Gunnar Knudsen in 1913. The conservatives come into power in 1920 with Otto Bahr Halvorsen, but already in 1921 Venstre brings Blehr back into office. Between 1921 and 1924 Høyre rules, with Halvorsen (1923) and Abraham Theodor Berge (1923-1924). Venstre can form a government in 1924 with Johan Ludwig Mowinckel, but in 1926 Høyre brings Ivar Lykke to the premiership. The first government of DNA is formed in 1928 with Christopher Hornsrud, but he is succeeded in a month by Mowinckel. In 1931 the first Bondepartiet (Farmers' Party) led government is a fact with Peder Ludvik Kolstad (1931-1932) and Jens Hundseid (1932-1933). Johan Ludwig Mowinckel resumes the premiership in 1933. In 1935 Johan Nygaardsvold forms a government led by Det Norske Arbeiderparti (Norwegian Labour Party, DNA). Between 1940 and 1945 Norway is occupied by Germany. In occupied Norway Vidkun Abraham Lauritz Quisling of the fascist Nasjional Samling (National Rally) becomes minister president. Nygaardsvold leads the government in exile.

After the liberation in 1945 DNA leads the governments with Einar Henry Gerhardsen (1945-1951, 1955-1963 and 1963-1965), Oscar Fredrik Torp (1951-1955). In 1963 John Daniel Fyrstenberg Lyng of Høyre forms shortly a government. In 1965 the non-socialist parties win the elections and form a coalition government under prime minister Per Borten of the Senterparti (Centre Party, Sp) until 1971. The DNA regains power that year with prime minister Trygve Martin Bratteli, but he has to resign in 1972. Lars Korvald of the KFp Party becomes prime-minister. In 1973 the DNA wins the elections and Bratelli becomes prime minister again. He is succeeded in 1976 by Odvar Nordli and in 1981 by Gro Harlem Brundtland.

DNA loses its majority in parliament in the 1981 elections. Since that time, minority and coalition governments have been the rule. Kåre Isaachsen Willoch, leader of Høyre, becomes prime minister. After the 1986 elections Brundtland can lead a DNA government. Between 1989 and 1990 Jan Peder Syse heads a Høyre led government. After the 1990 elections Brundtland serves as prime minister again from 1990 until 1996 when she decides to step out of politics. DNA leader Thorbjørn Jagland forms a new DNA government that stays in office until 1997. A three-party minority coalition government of Kristelig Folkeparti (Christian People's Party, KFp), Sp and Venstre headed by Kjell Magne Bondevik of the KFp moves into office. When this government falls, DNA leader Jens Stoltenberg takes over in a minority government. he loses the 2001 elections and Bondevik once again became prime minister in a minority government.