Nasjonal Samling, which translates to National Unity, was a political party founded by Vidkun Quisling and Johan Bernhard Hjort in Norway during the early 1930s. It was rooted in the fascist ideology that swept across Europe in the interwar period, drawing inspiration from Adolf Hitler's National Socialist German Workers' Party (NSDAP). Quisling, a former military officer, envisioned creating a strong nationalist movement to unite Norway under a common set of beliefs that echoed the values of nationalism, authoritarianism, and anti-communism. Hjort, an influential figure in Norway’s political landscape, provided the organizational backbone to help launch the party amidst the tumultuous political environment of the time.

The formation occurred in a context marked by economic instability and social upheaval following World War I. Many citizens sought solace in ideologies that promised order, stability, and national strength. Quisling and Hjort took advantage of the dissatisfaction among the populace towards the ruling political parties, proposing Nasjonal Samling as a remedy to Norway's challenges. They initiated the party’s activities by organizing rallies, distributing propaganda, and attempting to attract supporters by promoting ideals of national purity and social unity with strong anti-communist sentiments.

Nasjonal Samling struggled initially to gain traction in Norway. However, it started to garner more attention and membership as political tensions escalated. By the late 1930s, the party witnessed a significant surge in popularity, particularly after Norway's invasion by Nazi Germany in 1940, during which Quisling would become synonymous with treachery as he collaborated with the occupiers. The party's early days laid the groundwork for its future actions and the complex narrative of collaboration in Norwegian history during World War II.