Vidkrun Quisling (Norwegian Nazi)

The founder of the fascists National Unity (Nasjonal Samling in Norwegian) Party in 1933, Vidkrun Quisling was a Norwegian military officer and politician who attempted a coup during the 1940 German invasion of Norway. In 1942, he was made head of the Norwegian government in 1942, all while the Scandinavian country was under German control.

Under Nazi control, Norwegians endured persecution of Jews, Romani, LGBT people and the disabled who were deported to mainland Europe where they would be killed in concentration camps whether from overwork, mistreatment, disease or gassing. There was also economic exploitation and forced labour as well as a not so little serious programme ignited by darked haired, dark eyed, average height fascists called Lebensborn. The programme involved healthy, tall, blonde-haired, blue eyed women being impregnated by Nazi officers who had to carry a healthy blonde-haired, blue eyed child to term as part of creating a “pure Aryan race". If you think that World War 2 was a long time ago, then I will tell you right now that ABBA has a singer in it called Anni-Frid Lyngstad who was born to a German officer and a Norwegian mother (but outside of the Lebensborn programme). Interesting to note that Quisling never had children amid this programme but that's none of our concern here.

While not showing any concern towards the Sami people who are indigenous to the northern parts of Norway as well as Sweden, Finland and Russia, Quisling did want them to be eradicated as he found them ethnically inferior and yet the Nazis had the Sami used as navigators thanks for their exceptional survival skills and skiing skills in harsh terrains all while subjecting them to forced labour, suppression of their culture and displacement.

Along with the ethnic cleansing, Quisling was able to maintain a degree of control over Norway with the support of the German occupiers, which is common with Nazi commanders in occupied nations. Following Germany's surrender and the restoration of pre war order in Norway (right down to the king returning), Quisling was tried for high treason. Since his execution by firing squad, Quisling's surname has entered many languages, particularly English for be a synonym for traitor or collaborator.