Nygaardsvold's Cabinet

Nygaardsvold's Cabinet (later becoming the Norwegian government-in-exile) was appointed on 20 March 1935, the second Labour cabinet in Norway. It brought an end to the non-socialist minority governments that had dominated Norwegian politics since the introduction of the parliamentary system in 1884, and replaced it with stable Labour governments that, with the exception of World War II (during which the government remained de jure in power in exile) it would last until the coalition Lyng cabinet in 1963.

Following the brief tenure of the Hornsrud cabinet in the winter of 1928, the Labour Party changed its political stance from revolutionary communism to social democracy. The main reason for the change was the realization that government power could be used to enact reforms that would lessen the impact of the economic crisis. In the 1933 election the party used the slogans "Work for everyone" and "Country and city, hand in hand". The last time the party portrayed itself as "revolutionary" was the 1930 election.

The Labour Party advanced in the 1933 election but did not get a majority. Instead, they made a compromise with the Farmer Party, allowing Nygaardsvold to enter the Council of State. The party also failed to gain a majority in the 1936 election, but stayed in office thanks to fluctuating support from various opposition parties.

The night before 9 April 1940, the Norwegian Government, like most other authorities in the country, was surprised by the German invasion. At first, it chose resistance over capitulation. The Government left Norway on 7 June 1940 after the German conquest and established itself in London the same day, along with King Haakon VII and Crown Prince Olav.

Back in Norway, over the course of the war, four de facto governments were led by Vidkun Quisling and Josef Terboven. The Government-in-exile is sometimes referred to as the London Cabinet. It returned to Norway on 31 May 1945 aboard the UK troop ship RMS Andes. On 12 June, Nygaardsvold announced his resignation, and on 25 June, the pan-political Gerhardsen cabinet took over.

Below are the four de facto governments in Oslo during the war, either sympathizing with or appointed by German forces. The Reichskommissar in Oslo was Josef Terboven.