Økonomisk-demografiske rammebetingelser for Frelsesarmeens gjennombrudd i Norge

Abstract

The paper investigates a possible relationship between the rapid growth of The Salvation Army and economic-demographic trends around its establishment period in Norway during the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. The conclusion is that the first members often were young women, moving into urban areas and holding low-paid jobs. These characteristics fit well with the economic-demographic trends of its time, and additionally they were magnified among the recruited members of The Salvation Army. However, there is one important exception: The Salvation Army recruited basically young people, even though they represented a substantially decreasing part of the Norwegian population.