The 2011 Norway attacks, carried out by Anders Behring Breivik on July 22, 2011, were two coordinated terrorist attacks targeting the Norwegian government and a youth summer camp. These attacks resulted in the deaths of seventy-seven people and were the deadliest on Norwegian soil since World War II. The first attack occurred in Oslo, where Breivik detonated a car bomb in the executive government quarter, known as Regjeringskvartalet, at around 3:25 PM local time. The explosion caused considerable damage to surrounding government buildings as well as killing eight people and injuring over two hundred more. Less than two hours later, Breivik carried out the second attack on the island of Utøya. Disguised as a police officer, he took a ferry to the island, where the Workers’ Youth League (AUF), affiliated with the Norwegian Labour Party, was holding its annual summer camp. Breivik opened fire on the camp participants, killing sixty-nine people and injuring thirty-two others. Breivik’s actions were motivated by his far-right extremist beliefs, including white supremacy, Islamophobia, and opposition to multiculturalism. He documented his ideology and plans in a manifesto titled “2083: A European Declaration of Independence,” which he sent to numerous contacts shortly before the attacks.
The manifesto, which spans over 1,500 pages, outlines Breivik’s far-right ideology and his views on various social and political issues. Breivik provides a revisionist history of Europe, focusing on what he perceives as the negative impact of Islam and multiculturalism. He argues that European culture and identity are under threat from these influences and calls for a return to traditional values Breivik outlines his vision for a future Europe, free from what he sees as the detrimental effects of multiculturalism and Islam. He advocates for violent resistance and provides detailed instructions on how to carry out terrorist attacks. The manifesto has been widely condemned for its extremist views and incitement to violence. It has been used as a case study in understanding the motivations behind far-right terrorism and the dangers of radicalization.