The article tries to cast light on the specificities of the Norwegian nationalism in the second part of the 19th century. That theme is introduced through a description of the juridical and political events that led to independance in 1905. The article shows to what extent the Norwegian nationalism did not necessarily oppose a monarchic union with Sweden. However, all attempts to renew the juridical status of the union failed, as the Norwegians were against all changes that might reduce their autonomy. Eventually, the absence of any agreement concerning the foreign policy, which was monopolized by the Swedish government, was the ultimate event that explains the Norwegian secession. In the second part, the contribution gives an account of the diversity of cultural strategies that systematically integrated nationalism in their project: among them, a reformist project, whose views were quite consensual (national raomantics); on the other hand, radical projects, like the New Norwegian movement.