Albania: Encyclopedia II - Albania - History

Albania - History

Main articles: Illyria, Illyricum, Dalmatia, History of Albania.

The earlier inhabitants were probably part of the pre-Indo-European populace that occupied the coastline of most parts of the Mediterranean. Their physical remains are scarce though, and concentrated on the coastal region. Soon, these first inhabitants were overrun by the Proto-Hellenic tribes that gradually occupied modern-day Greece, southern parts of what is now the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and the south of present-day Albania. This process was completed over the second millennium BC and did not really affect northern or central Albania, an area that at the time presented the image of a political vacuum (in essence a historical paradox). Historians do not agree over the origin of the Illyrians. Some of them maintain that the Illyrians descended from the pre-Indo-European Pelasgians, while most scholars place them in the later wave of Indo-European invasions. Their presence can be traced back to 900 BC, when their political structure was formulated in the 7th and 6th centuries BC. Excellent metal craftsmen and fierce warriors, the Illyrians formed warlord based kingdoms that fought amongst themselves for most of their history. Only during the 6th century did the Illyrians venture significant raids against their immediate neighbours: the kingdom of the Molossians in northern Epirus (present southern Albania), the kingdom of Macedon, and the kingdom of Paionia. Probably their most important success was the slaughter of Perdiccas III, king of Macedon. Unfortunately for the Illyrians, Perdiccas was succeeded by Philip II, father of Alexander the Great, who effectively terminated the Illyrian aggression.

Besides warfare, the Illyrians were also peaceful traders of agricultural products and metal works. The Illyrian culture was influenced by the Greek culture (mainly the south Illyrian tribes). Albania is also the site of several ancient Greek colonies.

After being conquered by the Roman Empire, Illyria was reorganized as a Roman province, Illyricum, later divided into the provinces of Dalmatia and Pannonia, the lands comprising Albania mostly being included in Dalmatia. Later, the Byzantine Empire governed the region. After centuries, use of the name Illyria to denote the region fell out of fashion. In the middle ages, the name Albania (see Origin and history of the name Albania) began to be increasingly applied to the region now comprising the nation of Albania. The territory of Albania became part of the Ottoman Empire in 1478, after years of resistance under the leadership of Gjergj Kastrioti Skenderbeu, the Albanian National Hero.

After the Second Balkan War, Albania was to be divided in two by the Serbs and Greeks. The Serbs wanted to take control the northern part of Albania and the Greeks the shouthern. This desicion angered the Italians who did not want Serbia to have an extended coastline, and it angered the Germans who could build a railway to reach the Orient. The Germans then talked with the superpower in charge of Serbia and Greece (Russia) and decided that the country should not be divided but instead the Kingdom of Albania should be formed under a German prince. When the German prince was expelled by the Albanian people after 6 months as "King of Albania" the English, French, and Italians in the Leage of Nations wanted to divide the territory once and for all, but intervention from United States president Woodrow Wilson vetoing the vote and allowing Albania to continue as a sovergnity. From 1928 on, the country was ruled by King Zog I until 1938 when it became a puppet of Italy.

The communists took over after World War II, in November 1944, under the leader of the resistance, Enver Hoxha. From 1945 until 1990 Albania had one of the most repressive governments in Europe. The communist party was created in 1941 with the direction of Bolshevik Communist Parties. All those who opposed it were eliminated. Enver Hoxha became the leader of this party. For many decades of his domination, Hoxha created and destroyed relationships with Belgrade, Moscow, and China, always in his personal interests. The country was isolated, first from the West (Western Europe, North America and Australasia) and later even from the communist East.

In 1985, Enver Hoxha died and Ramiz Alia took his place. Initially, Alia tried to follow in Hoxha's footsteps, but in Eastern Europe the changes had already started: Mikhail Gorbachev had appeared in the Soviet Union with new policies (Glasnost and perestroika). The totalitarian regime was pressured by the US and Europe and the anger and dispair of its own people. After Nicolae Ceauşescu (the communist leader of Romania) was executed in a revolution, Alia knew he would be next if changes were not made. He signed the Helsinki Agreement (which was signed by other countries in 1975) that respected some human rights. He also allowed pluralism, and even though his party won the election of 1991 it was clear that the change would not be stopped. In 1992 the general elections were won by the Democratic Party with 62% of the votes.

In the general elections of June 1996 the Democratic Party tried to win an absolute majority and manipulated the results. In 1997 the economic fraud of the pyramid schemes shocked the entire government and riots started. Police stations and military bases were looted of millions of weaponry - mostly Kalashnikovs. Anarchy prevailed and many cities were controlled by militia and armed citizens. Even the US military advisors left the country for safety. This anarchy and rebellion caused the Socialist Party to win the early elections of 1997. To this day, the sudden rise of these militia and the prevalence of mafia style local overlords means it is difficult to consider Albania in a European sense as a unified country governed by its capital.

However, stability was far from being restored in the years after the 1997 riots. The power feuds raging inside the Socialist Party led to a series of short-lived Socialist governments. The country was flooded with refugees from neighboring Kosovo in 1998 and 1999. In June, 2002, a compromise candidate, Alfred Moisiu, a former general and defense minister, was elected to succeed President Meidani. Parliamentary elections in July, 2005, brought back to power Sali Berisha, Leader of the Democratic Party, mostly owing to the Socialist power infighting and a series of corruption scandals plaguing the Nano government.

Since 1990 Albania has been oriented towards the West, it was accepted to the Council of Europe and has requested membership of NATO. The working force of Albania has continued to emigrate to Greece, Italy, Europe and North America. Corruption in the government is becoming more and more obvious. The politics have not yet fulfilled the people's hope for a short and not too painful transition.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "History", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki