Albania under Enver Hoxha: A coming of age

The Albanian people are one of the oldest peoples in Europe. Despite their long history, Albania did not achieve a precarious independence until 1912. When independence was achieved, the calendar may have said early twentieth century but the reality which existed in Albania at this time was much more akin to medieval feudalism.; The subject matter and time period analyzed in this study is that of Enver Hoxha and his years in power as leader of Albania, 1944-1985. All pertinent components of Albanian life are studied. These areas of inquiry include: the maintenance of sovereignty; the various major alliances Albania was involved in (Yugoslavia, U.S.S.R., China, post-alliance self-reliant Albania); economic development, social issues--education and health care, the role of women, Code of Lek, blood feuds, human rights, and the abolition of religion. Finally, the thought of Enver Hoxha is analyzed in order to determine its impact upon Albania's development and history during the period being studied.; The methods employed in the production of this study include: a survey of all relevant Albanian publications; extensive use of Zeri i popullit, the Party of Labor newspaper; extensive use of the plethora of writings produced by Enver Hoxha covering the entire gamut of Albanian affairs; pertinent secondary materials have been utilized--United Nations, World Bank, and other third party sources of statistical data. Also, many questionnaires were completed and interviews conducted in Albania to help in the process of drawing objective conclusions.; The conclusion drawn by this study is that it is necessary in order to maintain objectivity to give Hoxha a mixed report card. One must always keep in mind when analyzing Albania to remember the starting point it began from which was extremely backward according to Western criteria. Enver Hoxha can be considered a leader who accomplished great things for Albania while concurrently enmeshing Albania in policies that were not only counterproductive but self-destructive. This is the story of a small nation with many limitations hindering its ability to determine its own destiny which managed to maintain its sovereignty and modernize by using quite unorthodox methods.