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76-548: The modern Albania has been a kingdom on two occasions. The first occasion was after the Albanian Declaration of Independence in 1912, though a ruler was not chosen until 1914, and was forced into exile that year when World War I led to the occupation of Albania. The country remained unstable until establishing the Albanian Republic in 1924. The second occasion started in 1928, when the president of

152-515: A tariff union, the Italian tariff system was put in place in Albania. Due to the expected economic losses in Albania from the alteration in tariff policy, the Italian government provided Albania 15 million Albanian leks each year in compensation. Italian customs laws were to apply in Albania and only Italy alone could conclude treaties with third parties. Italian capital was allowed to dominate

228-599: A unitary parliamentary constitutional republic , though there continue to be hereditary pretenders to the title of King of the Albanians. The Albanian Congress of Trieste of 1913 discussed the question of the future prince and several candidates came through: Baron Franz Nopcsa von Felső-Szilvás , Marchese D'Auletta (claiming descendance from Skanderbeg ) with the support of the Arbereshe delegates and Italy , Prince Albert Ghica from Romania supported by

304-539: A protectorate over central and southern Albania; however this was overturned in September 1920 when Italy was pressured to withdraw its army. Italy was enraged with the minimal gains that it received from peace negotiations, which it regarded as having violated the Treaty of London. Italian Fascists claimed that Albanians were ethnically linked to Italians through association with the prehistoric populations, and that

380-474: A provisional government; that a council of elders be elected to assist and supervise the government; and that a commission be sent to Europe to defend Albanian interests among the Great Powers. The delegates unanimously agreed with the words of Ismail Kemal bey and resolved that Albania, as of today, should be on her own, free and independent under a provisional government. The meeting was adjourned until

456-747: A result of foreign pressure and defeat in the Vlora War . The Italian Fascist regime had politically and economically penetrated and dominated Albania during Zog's rule and was planning for annexation of Albania years prior to the event. Albania came under strong Italian influence after the signing of the Treaties of Tirana of 1926 and 1927. Under Zog, Albania's economy was dependent on multiple financial loans given from Italy since 1931. In August 1933, Mussolini placed stringent demands on Zog in exchange for Italy's continued support of Albania, including demands that all new appointments to leading positions in

532-666: A way to cut off the interests of Kingdom of Serbia . Soon after the Declaration of Independence Albania was occupied by the Balkan League member states ( Serbia , Montenegro, and Greece ). The Occupation of Albania (1912–1913) took place during the Balkan Wars . The facade of the building where the independence was proclaimed is depicted on the reverses of the Albanian 200 lekë banknote of 1992–1996, and of

608-528: Is being carried out without a hitch. I am wondering whether the general situation – particularly the Anschluss [with Austria] – does not permit us to take a step forward towards the more complete domination of this country, which will be ours." and days later on 4 April of that year wrote "We must gradually underline the protectorate element of our relations with Albania". "The Kosovars are 850,000 Albanians, strong of body, firm in spirit, and enthusiastic about

684-500: Is in today, all the delegates with one voice decided that Albania today is to be on its own, free and independent. Below is the list of the forty signatories as published by newspaper Perlindja e Shqipëniës . The original act of the Declaration of Independence was written on a single piece of letter. On the front page, there are a total of 34 recognizable signatures and on the back page are found 6 more signatures. Under these circumstances, delegates from all over Albania were gathered in

760-533: The Albanian colony there , and Aladro Kastriota . Under the independence settlement imposed by the Great Powers , the country was styled a principality , and its ruler, William of Wied ( German : Wilhelm zu Wied ), was titled prince. However, these styles were only used outside the country. In Albanian , William was referred to as mbret , meaning king. This was because many local nobles already had

836-479: The Assembly of Vlorë (Albanian: Kuvendi i Vlorës ). Ismail Kemal returned to Albania with Austro-Hungarian support and, at the head of a swiftly convened national assembly , declared Albanian independence in the town of Vlora on 28 November 1912. The declaration was more theoretical than practical because Vlora was the only town in the whole country under the delegates' control―yet it proved to be effective in

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912-481: The Assembly of Vlorë , in the presence of hundreds of Albanians. This is a complete list of the 79 registered delegates by region: Just as the overseas communities of Albanians had stimulated the patriotic fervor which gradually led to the independence of their homeland, so at this critical juncture they once again demonstrated their solidarity. On 1 March 1913, they convened an Albanian Congress of Trieste , Austria. There were 119 representatives in all, coming from

988-658: The Hellenic state . After the fall of Yugoslavia and Greece in April 1941, the Italian government began negotiations with Germany, Bulgaria, and the newly established client state, the Independent State of Croatia , on defining their borders. In April Mussolini called for the borders of Albania to be expanded – including annexing Montenegro into Albania that would have an autonomous government within Albania, and expanding Albania's border eastwards, though not as far as

1064-838: The Italian Empire . Officials intended to make Albania part of a Greater Italy by assimilating Albanians as Italians and colonizing Albania with Italian settlers from the Italian Peninsula to transform it gradually into an Italian land. In the Treaty of London during World War I , the Triple Entente had promised central and southern Albania to Italy as a reward for fighting against the Central Powers . In June 1917, after Italian soldiers seized control of substantial areas of Albania, Italy formally declared

1140-711: The Italian protectorate of Albania . Zog fled the country, though he never abdicated, and five days later the Albanian Parliament proclaimed Victor Emmanuel as the new King of the Albanians. When the Italian Armed Forces started being decimated in 1943, Victor Emmanuel signed the Armistice of Cassibile with the Allies on 3 September 1943, which included his abdication as the Albanian monarch and

1216-505: The Kingdom of Albania or Greater Albania , existed as a puppet state and protectorate of Fascist Italy . It was practically a union between Italy and Albania, officially led by Italian King Victor Emmanuel III and his government: Albania was led by Italian governors, after being militarily occupied by Italy , from 1939 until 1943. During this time, Albania ceased to exist as an independent country and became an autonomous part of

1292-700: The Ottoman Empire . Independent Albania was proclaimed in Vlorë on 28 November 1912. Six days later the Assembly of Vlorë formed the first Government of Albania which was led by Ismail Qemali and the Council of Elders (Pleqnia). The success of the Albanian Revolt of 1912 sent a strong signal to the neighboring countries that the Ottoman Empire was weak. The Kingdom of Serbia opposed

1368-1696: The 500 lekë banknote issued since 1996. Monastir : Zyhdi Ohri , Myrteza Ali Struga , Nuri Sojliu , Hamdi Ohri , Mustafa Baruti , Dervish Hima , Vehbi Dibra , Sherif Langu , Hajdar Blloshmi Shkodër : Abaz Çelkupa , Mustafa Hanxhiu , Jahja Ballhysa , Nikoll Kaçorri , Lef Nosi , Shefqet Dajiu , Qemal Karaosmani , Dervish Biçaku , Luigj Gurakuqi , Pandeli Cale , Thanas Floqi , Spiridon Ilo , Mustafa Merlika-Kruja , Qemal Mullaj , Ferid Vokopola , Nebi Sefa , Ahmet bej Zogolli , Riza Zogolli , Kurt Agë Kadiu , Abdi Toptani , Murad Toptani , Mahmud Efendi Kaziu , Xhemal Deliallisi , Ymer Deliallisi , Ibrahim Efendiu , Xhelal Koprëncka ; Hajredin Cakrani , Fehim Mezhgorani ; Janina : Elmas Boçe , Veli Harçi , Mufid Libohova , Petro Poga , Jani Papadhopulli , Ismail Qemali Gramshi , Kristo Meksi , Aristidh Ruçi , Veli Gërra , Jakup Veseli , Rexhep Demi , Azis Tahir Ajdonati , Sami Vrioni , Ilias Vrioni , Dhimitër Tutulani , Babë Dud Karbunara , Avni Bey Delvina , Ismail Kemal, Zihni Abaz Kanina , Zyhdi Vlora , Qazim Kokoshi , Jani Minga , Eqrem Vlora , Veli Këlcyra , Syreja Vlora ; Monastir : Vehbi Dibra Shkoder : Hajredin Cakrani , Shefqet Dajiu , Dervish Biçaku , Xhelal Koprëncka , Mustafa Merlika-Kruja , Murad Toptani , Janina : Babë Dud Karbunara , Veli Këlcyra , Kristo Meksi , Eqrem Vlora , Ilias Vrioni , Sami Vrioni , Italian protectorate of Albania (1939%E2%80%931943) The Italian protectorate of Albania ( Italian: Protettorato italiano dell'Albania), also known as Italian Albania ,

1444-518: The Adriatic zone. Despite the efforts of the Italian vicegerent, Francesco Jacomoni , to stir up insurrections and create a fifth column , and the favourable reports he sent to the Italian foreign minister Count Ciano , events proved that there was little enthusiasm among the Albanians themselves: after the Italian invasion of Greece , most Albanians either deserted or defected. Strategically, control of Albania gave Italy an important beachhead in

1520-702: The Albanian Fascist Party, a quasi-statal organization, issued a directive on 16 June 1940, shortly after Italy's declarations of war against Britain and France, that stated that "The Kingdom of Albania considers itself at war with all nations against which Italy is at war – at present or in the future." In October 1940, during the Greco-Italian War , Albania served as a staging-area for Italian dictator Benito Mussolini 's unsuccessful invasion of Greece . Mussolini planned to invade Greece and other countries like Yugoslavia in

1596-628: The Albanian economy. As a result, Italian companies were allowed to hold monopolies in the exploitation of Albanian natural resources. In 1944, the number of companies and industrial enterprises reached 430, from just 244 in 1938 and only 71 such in 1922. The degree of concentration of workers in industrial production in 1938 doubled compared with 1928. At this time, Albania's economy had trade relations with 21 countries, but most developed were first to Italy and then to Yugoslavia, France, Germany, Greece, etc. The country entered capitalist economic development much later than other European countries. Despite

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1672-458: The Albanian government had to have received an "Italian education"; that an Italian expert was in the future to be in all Albanian government ministries; that Italy would take control of Albania's military – including its fortifications; that British officers that were training Albania's gendarmerie be replaced by Italian officers; and that Albania must annul all of its existing commercial treaties with other countries and make no new agreements without

1748-557: The Albanian king, Zog I fled to Greece . Although Albania had been under strong Italian influence since 1927, Italy's political leader, Benito Mussolini wanted direct control over the country to increase his and Italy's prestige, provide a response to Germany's annexation of Austria and occupation of Czechoslovakia , and to have firm control over Albania to station large forces of the Italian military for future operations involving Yugoslavia and Greece. Albania became an Italian protectorate subordinated to Italian interests, along

1824-636: The Albanians" ( Mbret i Shqiptarëve in Albanian). Zog sought to establish a constitutional monarchy . Under the royal constitution, the Albanian king, like the king of the Belgians , had to swear an oath before parliament before entering into his royal powers. The text of the oath was as follows: I, name, King of the Albanians, on ascending the Throne of the Albanian Kingdom and assuming

1900-515: The Albanians", which included a claim to Kosovo and part of today's North Macedonia . Since Crown Prince Leka's death in late November, 2011, the main pretender to the Albanian Throne is his son Leka II . This is a compilation of rulers who proclaimed themselves as the sovereigns of Albania and or Albanians as a unified entity, throughout history. Holding various titles such as kings, princes, despots, lords, etc.. Starting from one of

1976-677: The Allied command, occupied Northern Epirus on 23 August 1916, forcing the Greek Army to withdraw its occupation forces from there. In June 1917, Italy proclaimed central and southern Albania as a protectorate of Italy while Northern Albania was allocated to the states of Serbia and Montenegro. By 31 October 1918, French and Italian forces expelled the Austro-Hungarian Army from Albania. After World War I ended, Italy withdrew its military forces on 2 September 1920 from Albania as

2052-607: The Balkans: not only did it complete Italian control of the Strait of Otranto and the entrance to the Adriatic Sea , it could be used to invade either Yugoslavia (in tandem with another thrust via Venezia Giulia ) or Greece. In 1939, Count Ciano spoke of Albanian irredentist claims to Kosovo as valuable to Italy's objectives, saying: The Kosovars [are] 850,000 Albanians, strong of body, firm in spirit, and enthusiastic about

2128-834: The Germans where they were murdered or sent to camps in Albania. Others were taken to Albanian cities where the local population protected them. See The Holocaust in Albania . Kosovar Albanians collaborated with the Axis powers who promised them a Greater Albania. This was seen as a better alternative to the repressive measures instilled by Serbian politicians during the interwar period. In June 1942 Prime Minister Mustafa Kruja stated that Serbs would be sent to concentration camps or killed. Between 70,000 and 100,000 Kosovar Serbs were transferred to concentration camps in Pristina and Mitrovica or expelled to Serbia proper, in order to Albanianize

2204-529: The Great Powers that had vital interests in the Balkans. As there was no more hope of saving Albania by means of arms, the only road to salvation was to separate Albania from Turkey. Ismail Kemal bey promoted this idea and objective, that was well received by all the Great Powers, in particular by Austria and Italy. It was only Russia that remained somewhat hostile to the idea because of the Slavs, but it did not deny

2280-611: The Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs, speaking of Albanian claims to Kosovo as valuable to Italy's objectives. In spite of Albania's long-standing alliance with Italy, on 7 April 1939 Italian troops invaded Albania , five months before the start of the Second World War. The Albanian armed resistance proved ineffective against the Italians and, after a short defense, the country was occupied. On 9 April 1939

2356-601: The Italian prototype. The Albanian Fascist Party was a branch of the National Fascist Party of Italy, members of the Albanian Fascist Party took an oath to obey the orders of the Duce of Fascism, Mussolini. Italian citizens began to settle in Albania as colonists and to own land so that they could gradually transform it into Italian soil. The italianization of Albania was one of Mussolini's plans. While Victor Emmanuel ruled as king, Shefqet Vërlaci served as

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2432-579: The Ottoman Empire, the Albanians had never forgotten their own language and nationality, the best proof of this being the endeavours and uprisings that had taken place from time to time, in particular over the last four years, to preserve their rights and customs. The Ottoman Government had never taken their interests into consideration and had never been willing to recompense the Albanians for the great services they had rendered. It had recently shown some interest in coming to an understanding with our people, but had not given proof of good faith and had not taken all

2508-472: The Royal powers, swear in the presence of God Almighty that I will maintain national unity, the independence of the state, and its territorial integrity, and I will maintain and conform to the statute and laws in force, having the good of the people always in mind. So help me God! Zog's kingdom was closely tied to Italy , then ruled by Victor Emmanuel III . On April 7, 1939, Italy occupied Albania, treating it as

2584-529: The Turkish army had been defeated and that the Empire would not survive, the Albanians, who had played a greater role in the fighting than the soldiers, hastened to take requisite steps in their own interests as owners of the country. For this reason, Ismail Kemal bey departed for Istanbul and, having come to an understanding with the Albanians of Bucharest, too, set off for Vienna, where he reached an agreement with

2660-677: The United States, Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey, Egypt, Italy, and of course from the new state itself. Bishop Fan Noli of Boston was one of the featured speakers. The congress recognized the provisional government of Ismail Qemal, pledged its faithful support, discussed the ethnic boundaries of the new state and sent strong resolutions to the European capitals and to the London Conference of Ambassadors then in session, appealing for their recognition of Albanian independence and for

2736-523: The Vardar river as some had proposed – citing that Ohrid should be left to the Slavic Macedonians, regardless of whether Vardar Macedonia would become an independent state or be annexed by Bulgaria. However the Italian government changed its positions on the border throughout April, later supporting the annexation of Ohrid while giving the territory lying directly outside of Ohrid (including

2812-528: The Yugoslav government. The Italians also gave the inhabitants Albanian citizenship and allowed them to fly the Albanian Flag. The Albanian armed forces were subsumed into the Italian military, Italian advisers were placed inside all levels of the Albanian administration, and the country was fascisticized with the establishment of an Albanian Fascist Party and its attendant organizations, modelled after

2888-446: The afternoon at the house of Xhemil bey. Ismail Kemal bey, as the prime initiator of the gathering, took the floor and explained to the delegates the purpose of the assembly, that is, that they all must strive to do what is necessary to save Albania from the great perils it is now facing. The chairman, Ismail Kemal Bey, then took the floor and, in an ardent, fluid and reasonable speech, stated that although they had always been faithful to

2964-503: The approval of the Italian government; and that Albania sign a commercial convention that would make Italy Albania's "most favoured country" in trade. In 1934 when Albania did not deliver its scheduled payment of one loan to Italy, Italian warships arrived off the coast of Albania to intimidate Albania to submit to Italian goals in the region. However, the British opposed Italy's actions and under pressure, Italy backed down and claimed that

3040-608: The area to give Italy territorial control of most of the Mediterranean Sea coastline, as part of the Fascists' objective of creating the objective of Mare Nostrum ("Our Sea") in which Italy would dominate the Mediterranean. But the Albanian army under the command of colonel (later general) Prenk Pervizi abandoned the Italians in combat, causing a major unraveling of their lines. The Albanian army believed to be

3116-596: The border area of Chameria , inhabited by the Cham Albanian minority. Prior to direct intervention in World War I, the Kingdom of Italy occupied the port of Vlorë in Albania in December 1914. Upon entering the war, Italy spread its occupation to region of southern Albania beginning in the autumn 1916. Italian forces in 1916 recruited Albanian irregulars to serve alongside them. Italy with permission of

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3192-688: The cause of the betrayal was removed from the front. The Colonel Pervizi and his staff of officials was isolated in the mountains of Puka and Shkodra to the North. This was the first action of revolt against the Italian occupation. But, soon after the Italian invasion, the Greeks counter-attacked and a sizable portion of Albania was in Greek hands (including the cities of Gjirokastër and Korçë ). In April 1941, Greece capitulated after an overwhelming German invasion . All of Albania returned to Italian control, which

3268-460: The city of Vlorë on 28 November 1912, declared Albania an independent country. On 4 December 1912 they set up a provisional government. The complete text of the declaration, composed in Albanian , partially in Gheg , Tosk and Ottoman Turkish , was: In Vlorë on 15/28 of the third Autumn 1328/1912. After the words spoken by Mr. Chairman Ismail Kemal Bey, in which he told of the great danger Albania

3344-491: The end of the so-called protectorate. While Zog I was reinstated as king (in absentia) by pro-monarchy partisans, this action was opposed by pro-communist partisans, all made moot as Nazi Germany immediately commenced the German occupation of Albania . The Germans were pushed out by late 1944, by which point the partisan factions were basically fighting a civil war. This continued until the socialist People's Republic of Albania

3420-550: The existence of Albania and an Albanian people. To realise this objective, he invited all Albanians to gather in Vlora and was delighted today to see that his call had not been in vain, and that delegates had been sent from all parts of Albania to reflect together on ways to save the Fatherland. According to Ismail Kemal Bey, the most urgent measures that the Albanian nation must take today are these: that Albania be independent under

3496-423: The existing Albanian system of prefectures ( Italian : prefetture ). In line with the administrative structure of the rest of Italy these were also called provinces (Italian: provincia ). However, unlike Italy the Albanian sub-prefecture (Italian: sotto prefetture ) was retained. There were initially 10 prefectures. Under this was 30 sub-prefectures and 23 municipalities (Italian: municipalità ). Each Prefecture

3572-832: The first established Albanian monarchies. Dhimitër Progoni from the Progoni family in the 12th-13th century. Upon his father's death in 1331, Robert II of Taranto inherited his titles, including that of (Regnum Albaniae) King of Albania . In 1332, he struck a deal with his uncle, John of Gravina, exchanging his rights to the Kingdom of Albania for the Principality of Achaea. This transaction solidified Robert's control over Achaea while relinquishing his claim to Albania. Louis of Évreux inherited his Albanian title Duke of Durazzo through his second marriage in 1366 to Joanna, Duchess of Durazzo. Louis's marriage to Joanna not only brought him

3648-474: The following day and the delegates went out and greeted the flag that was raised at five thirty in the afternoon. The second session of the Assembly of Vlorë was held on 4 December 1912. During that members of the assembly founded the first government of Independent Albania on 4 December 1912, which was led by Ismail Kemal . The government established also a 'Council of Elders' (Pleqësia) , which would help

3724-399: The government to its duties. In addition, the Assembly of Vlorë decided that it would agree to any decision of the Great Powers for the system of government in Albania and that the provisional government would cease to exist after the recognition of independence of the country and the nomination of the monarch. The same day, Kemal waved the national flag of Albania, from the balcony of

3800-600: The idea of a Union with their Homeland. Apparently, the Serbians are terrified of them. Today one must ... chloroform the Yugoslavians. But later on one must adopt a politics of deep interest in Kosovo. This will help to keep alive in the Balkans an irredentist problem which will polarize the attention of the Albanians themselves and be a knife at the back of Yugoslavia..." Galeazzo Ciano , Mussolini's son-in-law,

3876-399: The idea of a Union with their Homeland. Apparently, the Serbians are terrified of them. Today one must…chloroform the Yugoslavians. But later on one must adopt a politics of deep interest in Kosovo. This will help to keep alive in the Balkans an irredentist problem which will polarize the attention of the Albanians themselves and be a knife at the back of Yugoslavia. The Corporative Council of

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3952-730: The lifting of the Greek blockade. In December 1912 the Great Powers met in London to deal with territorial adjustments arising out of the conclusion of the First Balkan War . After months of wrangling and compromise under the constant threat of a general war, the conference announced its formal decisions on 17 May 1913. The question of Albanian independence that had prompted the Conference of Ambassadors at London came up for discussion at their first session. According to article II of

4028-556: The lines of the German Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia . Victor Emmanuel III was proclaimed king of Albania, creating a personal union with Italy; he was represented in Tirana by a viceroy . A customs union was created, and Rome took over Albanian foreign policy. Although officially under Italian rule, the Albanians controlled the region and were encouraged to open Albanian language schools, which had been banned by

4104-487: The major influence exerted by the Roman and Venetian empires over Albania gave Italy the right to possess it. In addition, several hundred thousand ethnic Albanians had already been absorbed into southern Italy, which was used to justify annexation as a measure that would unite all Albanians into one state. Italy supported Albanian irredentism , directed against the predominantly Albanian-populated Kosovo in Yugoslavia , but also against Epirus in Greece , particularly

4180-487: The nationalist aims of the Italian Fascists, as the territory of Albania had long been part of the Roman Empire , even prior to the annexation of northern Italy by the Romans. Later, during the High Middle Ages some coastal areas (like Durazzo ) had been influenced and owned by Italian powers, chiefly the Kingdom of Naples and the Republic of Venice for many years (cf. Albania Veneta ). The Italian Fascist regime legitimized its claim to Albania through studies proclaiming

4256-416: The naval exercise was merely a "friendly visit". On 25 August 1937, Italian foreign minister Count Ciano wrote in his diary of Italy's relations with Albania in the following: "We must create stable centres of Italian influence there. Who knows what the future may have in store? We must be ready to seize opportunities which will present themselves. We are not going to withdraw this time, as we did in 1920. In

4332-499: The plan for an Albanian Vilayet , preferring a partition of the European territory of the Ottoman Empire among the four Balkan allies . Balkan allies planned the partition of the European territory of the Ottoman Empire among them and in the meantime the territory conquered during First Balkan War was agreed to have status of the Condominium . That was the reason for Kemal to organize an All-Albanian Congress in Vlorë . The Assembly of 40 delegates meeting in southern Albania in

4408-429: The predominantly Albanian-populated Kosovo in the Kingdom of Yugoslavia and Epirus in Greece , particularly the border area of Chameria , inhabited by the Cham Albanian minority. Thus an author the Fascist Italian publication named Geopolitica claimed that the population of the Epirus- Acarnania region of Greece belonged to Albania due to it being racially Dinaric , and formed a 'single geographic system' with

4484-586: The presence of some foreign (mainly Italian) investment, Albania had made little move towards industrial development at the onset of World War II. Agriculture, which employed over 87% of the workforce, was the main sector of the economy and contributed 92.4% of the national income, with main outputs being wheat, maize and rye. Agriculture used primitive tools such as wood ploughs, whilst fertilisers were hardly known at all, and drainage poor. The level of productivity and level of organization and mechanization of agriculture in this period were very low. The Italians adopted

4560-407: The prime minister. Vërlaci controlled the day-to-day activities of the Italian protectorate. On 3 December 1941, Shefqet Vërlaci was replaced as prime minister by Mustafa Merlika-Kruja . The country's natural resources too came under direct control of Italy. All petroleum resources in Albania went through Agip , Italy's state petroleum company. Albania was important culturally and historically to

4636-417: The province. During the occupation, the population was subject to forced labour, torture, destruction of private property, destruction and damaging of cultural and historical buildings and graveyards. The expulsion of Serbs proved problematic, as they had performed important functions in the region, and been running most of the businesses, mills, tanneries, and public utilities, and been responsible for most of

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4712-465: The racial affinity of Albanians and Italians, especially as opposed to the Slavic Yugoslavs. Italian Fascists claimed that Albanians were linked through ethnic heritage to Italians , not to Slavs, and that the major influence exhibited by the Roman and Venetian empires over Albania justified Italy's right to possess it. Italy also attempted to legitimize and win public support for its rule over Albania by supporting Albanian irredentism, directed against

4788-414: The republic declared himself the new monarch. The continuity of the second modern kingdom is distorted by the onset of World War II , occupation by Italy until 1943, then occupation by Nazi Germany until 1944, then civil war until 1946, which ended with the establishment of the People's Republic of Albania . After Albania became the last European nation to embrace the Fall of Communism in 1992, it became

4864-442: The rights to Durazzo but also to the Kingdom of Albania and the title (Regnum Albaniae) King of Albania , which he sought to recover. Durazzo, the remnant of the kingdom, was under the control of Karl Thopia at the time. Louis received assistance from his brother and the King of France in his efforts to reclaim Durazzo and Albania. In 1372, he brought over the Navarrese Company of mercenaries, who had previously fought with him during

4940-653: The sacred birthplace of Saint Clement ) to the Slavic Macedonians. After a period of negotiations Italy's new Balkan borders – including Albania's new borders, were declared by royal decree on 7 June 1941. After the Italian capitulation in September 1943, the country was occupied by the Germans until the end of the war. Around 200 Albanian Jews and 400 Jewish refugees resided in Albania proper prior to World War II. Albanian Jews were generally protected but faced some restrictions. Foreign Jews were placed into concentration camps. The Jewish population of Kosovo fared comparatively worse as Italian authorities turned them over to

5016-428: The six great powers. They also appointed an International Commission of Control for Albania, to be composed of one representative from each of the six powers and one Albanian. This commission would supervise the Albanian government's organization, finances and administration for a 10-year period. Dutch officers would organize the gendarmerie. Austria-Hungary was a major supporter of Albanian independence and saw it as

5092-436: The south [of Italy] we have absorbed several hundred thousand Albanians. Why shouldn't the same thing happen on the other side of the entrance to the Adriatic.". On 26 March 1938, Ciano wrote in his diary of annexing Albania like Germany did with Austria shortly prior: "A report from Jacomoni on the situation in Albania. Our penetration is becoming steadily more intense and more organic. The programme which I traced after my visit

5168-400: The steps needed to appease and satisfy the Albanians. War had recently broken out with four countries in the Balkans that were seeking change and rights for their peoples, united by their ethnicity and religion. Later, these countries put aside their initial objective and, as the war was going well for them, they agreed to divide the Empire up among themselves, including Albania. Realizing that

5244-439: The title of prince ( princ , prinq , or prenk in various Albanian dialects), and because domestically the Albanian sovereign could not be seen as holding a title inferior to that of the king of Montenegro . Prince William's full style was: "By the grace of the powers and the will of the people the prince of Albania". William was forced into exile by internal disorder just after the outbreak of World War I , and Albania

5320-417: The treaty, the six ambassadors decided that Albania would be recognized as an autonomous state under the sovereignty of the Ottoman sultan. After the breakout of the Balkan Wars, on 29 July, the ambassadors decided to recognize the total independence and sovereignty of Albania. They provided that it be governed by a European prince to be elected by the powers. Albanian neutrality would be jointly guaranteed by

5396-399: The useful agricultural production. According to Serbian sources, it is estimated that the Vulnetari and other paramilitaries murdered up to 10,000 Serbs and Montenegrins in Kosovo. Upon the occupation of Albania and installation of a new government, the economies of Albania and Italy were connected through a customs union that resulted in the removal of most trade restrictions. Through

5472-548: The vacuum of power. Though Albanian independence was recognised de facto on 17 December 1912 at the London Conference of Ambassadors, it was not until 29 July 1913, after the second Balkan War and the solving of the delicate problem of Shkodra , that the international community agreed to recognise Albania as a neutral, sovereign and hereditary principality. The newspaper Përlindja of Vlora described it as follows: The National Assembly, composed of delegates from all over Albania and convening here in Vlora, opened today at four in

5548-468: The war in France, to assist in the campaign. After meticulous military planning and engineering, they succeeded in taking the city in midsummer 1376. However, Louis died shortly after, leaving his ambitious plans unfinished. Albanian Declaration of Independence The Albanian Declaration of Independence ( Albanian : Deklarata e Pavarësisë ) was the declaration of independence of Albania from

5624-438: Was also extended to most of Greece, which was jointly occupied by Italy, Germany and Bulgaria. Italian plans however to annex Chameria to Albania were shelved because the Italians found the region to have been almost completely Greek and also due to the strong opposition of the region's Greek population. The Germans also opposed such a move for the same reasons, and also because they were opposed to any territorial reduction of

5700-486: Was established in 1946. During and after World War II , some Albanians worked for the return of King Zog; however, they were not successful. Neither Zog nor Victor Emmanuel had the Albanian royal title widely acknowledged by the international community. Zog's son, Crown Prince Leka (1939–2011), was the main pretender to the Albanian Crown. As he himself stated, his title was not "king of Albania" but "king of

5776-430: Was to be occupied by various foreign powers for most of the war. In the confusing aftermath of the war, some of the several regimes competing for power officially styled themselves as regencies for William. Albania's first monarchy ended definitively when the restored central government declared the country a republic in 1924. Four years later, on September 1, 1928, President Ahmed Bey Zogu proclaimed himself "king of

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