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Who was Vidkun Quisling and how did he cooperate with Nazi Germany in Norway?

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Third Reich — Nazi Party Adolf Hitler addressing a rally in Germany, c. 1933.

Vidkun Quisling (1887–1945) was a Norwegian army officer and politician whose name became synonymous with "traitor" due to his collaboration with Nazi Germany during the occupation of Norway in World War II.1

In 1933, Quisling founded the fascist Nasjonal Samling (National Union) Party, which aimed to suppress communism and trade unionism. His cooperation with the Nazis included:1

Encouraging Invasion: In December 1939, he met with Adolf Hitler to urge a German occupation of Norway.1
Puppet Leadership: Following the German invasion of April 1940, he proclaimed himself head of the government. In 1942, he was named "minister president" under Reich commissioner Josef Terboven.1
Enforcing Ideology: He attempted to force Nazism upon Norwegian schools, churches, and youth, and was responsible for sending nearly 1,000 Jews to concentration camps.1

Quisling’s actions were a profound betrayal of his nation and its people. Following Norway's liberation in 1945, he was arrested, convicted of treason, and executed.1