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{{Short description|1926 and 1927 treaties between Albania and Italy}}
The '''First (1926) and Second (1927) Treaties of Tirana''' were signed in [[Tirana]] between Albania and Italy, focusing on the Albanian economy and military. They allowed Italy to gain power over the country and join the [[Axis powers|Axis Powers]].
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2022}}

The '''Treaties of Tirana''' were signed in [[Tirana]] between Albania and Italy in the 1920s, bringing Albania into the Italian sphere of influence and gradually turning the Albanian state into a ''de facto'' protectorate of Italy.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-07-09 |title=20th-century international relations - Italy, East Central Europe {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/20th-century-international-relations-2085155/Italy-and-east-central-Europe |access-date=2024-08-10 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}}</ref>


== Background ==
== Background ==
{{Main|History of Albania}}
{{Main|History of Albania}}


=== Albania 1920s-1930s ===
=== The Kingdom of Albania ===
[[File:Flag of Albania (1928–1934).svg|thumb|Flag Of The Kingdom Of Albania (1928-1934)]]
[[File:Flag of Albania (1928–1934).svg|thumb|Flag Of The Kingdom Of Albania (1928-1934)]]
[[File:King Zog I.jpg|left|thumb|198x198px|Ahmet Zogu, known as King Zog I, the King of the Albanians (1895-1961)]]
[[File:King Zog I.jpg|left|thumb|198x198px|Ahmet Zogu, known as King Zog I, the King of the Albanians (1895-1961)]]
The two Treaties of [[Tirana]] were signed both between Albania and Italy. At the time the country of Albania was under the kingship of [[Zog I of Albania]], known in Albanian as the [[King of Albania|king of the Albanians]], ''Mbreti i Shqiptarëve.'' In 1925, [[Zog I of Albania|Ahmet Zogu]], was elected president for seven years and on 1 September 1928, during his swearing ceremony he proclaimed himself as the King.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book|title=Ελλάδα 1940-1949: Πόλεμο;, Κατοχή, Αντίσταση, Εμφύλιος|language =el|last=Brewer|first=David|date=2016|pages=25–33|publisher=Patakis|location=athens}}</ref> Being the first and the last king of the Albanian nation, he served the country from 1922 until he fled to London during the start of the [[World War II|Second World War]] in 1939. Albania was thought by Italy as the portal for the rest of the [[Balkans|Balkan]] countries, [[Greece]] and the Near Eastern countries.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1927/11/27/archives/italy-now-feels-secure-in-albania-latest-tirana-treaty-is-held-to.html|title=The New York Times Archives}}</ref> In May 1925, Albania accepted the proposal of the Italians and the Albanian National Bank was founded. It acted as the country's treasury despite being solely controlled by the Italian banks.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://motherearthtravel.com/albania/history-8.htm|title=Italian Penetration|last=History of Albania}}</ref> For the first time, Albania had its own national coin minted. The proposal came with a five-year loan equivalent of about 2 million pounds of that time.<ref name=":2" /> In non-official meetings with Italian officials, Zog expressed his sympathy for [[Benito Mussolini|Mussolini]] and the Italians. He even promised economic concessions to them further peaking their interest in the country of Albania.<ref name=":4" /> From the beginning seizing the power as [[King of Albania|king of the Albanians]], Zog wanted to:
At the time of the signing of the treaties, the country of Albania was under the kingship of [[Zog I of Albania]], known in Albanian as the [[King of Albania|king of the Albanians]], ''Mbreti i Shqiptarëve.'' In 1925, [[Zog I of Albania|Ahmet Zogu]], was elected president for seven years and on 1 September 1928, during his swearing ceremony, he proclaimed himself as the King.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book|title=Ελλάδα 1940-1949: Πόλεμο;, Κατοχή, Αντίσταση, Εμφύλιος|language =el|last=Brewer|first=David|date=2016|pages=25–33|publisher=Patakis|location=athens}}</ref> Being the first and the last king of the Albanian nation, he served the country from 1922 until he fled to London during the start of the [[World War II|Second World War]] in 1939. Albania was thought by Italy as the portal for the rest of the [[Balkans|Balkan]] countries, [[Greece]], and the [[Near East|Near Eastern]] countries.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1927/11/27/archives/italy-now-feels-secure-in-albania-latest-tirana-treaty-is-held-to.html|title=The New York Times Archives}}</ref> In May 1925, Albania accepted the proposal of the Italians and the Albanian National Bank was founded. It acted as the country's treasury despite being solely controlled by the Italian banks.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://motherearthtravel.com/albania/history-8.htm|title=Italian Penetration|last=History of Albania}}</ref> For the first time, Albania had its own national coin minted. The proposal came with a five-year loan equivalent of about 2 million pounds of that time.<ref name=":2" /> In non-official meetings with Italian officials, Zog expressed his sympathy for [[Benito Mussolini|Mussolini]] and the Italians. He even promised economic concessions to them further piquing their interest in the country of Albania.<ref name=":4" /> From the beginning seizing the power as [[King of Albania|king of the Albanians]], Zog wanted to:


# Develop the Albanian economy.
# Develop the Albanian economy.
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# Achieve recognition of his government by neighbouring states.<ref name=":4" /> Zog knew that without any external support he would not be able to achieve these. Zog accepted to restore order in his country and help with its development. The 1925 agreement also oversaw mineral concessions of the Albanian land.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1946v04/d296|title=Memoranda Submitted by the Albanian Government on the Draft Peace Treaty With Italy}}</ref> During this time, the Italo-Albanian relations were favoured more and more by Italy. [[Benito Mussolini|Mussolini]] had two orientations regarding the future of Albania.<ref name=":4" /> On one hand, it was a peaceful orientation for an Albanian economic diffusion until a de facto protectorate over Albania was achieved and on the other hand, for the accomplishment of a permanent [[Imperialism|imperialistic]] occupation.<ref name=":4" /> This weakened the King's economic hold and slowly gave way for the two Treaties to be signed by Zog and the Italian [[dictator]], [[Benito Mussolini|Mussolini]].
# Achieve recognition of his government by neighbouring states.<ref name=":4" /> Zog knew that without any external support he would not be able to achieve these. Zog accepted to restore order in his country and help with its development. The 1925 agreement also oversaw mineral concessions of the Albanian land.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1946v04/d296|title=Memoranda Submitted by the Albanian Government on the Draft Peace Treaty With Italy}}</ref> During this time, the Italo-Albanian relations were favoured more and more by Italy. [[Benito Mussolini|Mussolini]] had two orientations regarding the future of Albania.<ref name=":4" /> On one hand, it was a peaceful orientation for an Albanian economic diffusion until a de facto protectorate over Albania was achieved and on the other hand, for the accomplishment of a permanent [[Imperialism|imperialistic]] occupation.<ref name=":4" /> This weakened the King's economic hold and slowly gave way for the two Treaties to be signed by Zog and the Italian [[dictator]], [[Benito Mussolini|Mussolini]].


== First Treaty of Tirana (1926) ==
==Tirana treaty of 1920==
{{see also|Vlora War}}
⚫
On November 27, 1926, Italy signed with Albania the First Treaty of Tirana (''Pakti i Parë i Tiranës''), the Treaty of Peace and Security,<ref name=":2" /> in Albanian ''Pakti Italo-Shqiptar i Miqësisë dhe i Sigurimit.'' The treaty had a duration validity of five years.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book|title=The Great Soviet Encyclopedia, 3rd Edition (1970-1979)|publisher=The Gale Group, Inc|year=2010}}</ref> It pushed [[Tirana]] to accept Italian officers and ranking members into their army and police<ref name=":0" /> to oversee the Albanian army and train it. [[Zog I of Albania|King Zog]] fearing that the unrest of his people will lead to the loss of his throne, signed the treaty. Italy proclaimed Albania as its "guarantor".<ref name=":1" /> The two countries would provide support to each other, whether it be military or economic. The treaty consisted of five articles.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=http://www.doktoratura.unitir.edu.al/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/DOKORATURA-B-BEDINI.pdf|title=MARRËDHËNIET SHQIPËRI-ITALI GJATË MONARKISË ZOGISTE (1928-1939)|last=Bedini|first=Belina|date=2016}}</ref>
A first treaty of Tirana between Italy and Albania was signed on 2 August 1920 to end hostilities between Italian troops and Albanian nationalists in the aftermath of World War I, some years before the rise to power of Mussolini in Italy and Zog in Albania.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Kalaja |first=Deona Cali |date=2016 |title=The admission of Albania in the League of Nations |url=https://www.ssoar.info/ssoar/bitstream/handle/document/45701/ssoar-jlibertyintaff-2016-3-kalaja-The_admission_of_Albania_in.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y&lnkname=ssoar-jlibertyintaff-2016-3-kalaja-The_admission_of_Albania_in.pdf |journal=Journal of Liberty and International Affairs |volume=1 |issue=3 |pages=55-68 |via=SSOAR}}</ref> This agreement contained the following clause:

{{Quote|Italy undertakes to recognize and defend the autonomy of Albania and, retaining only Saseno, abandons Vallona.}}

Italy recognized Albania as independent (despite plans to create an Italian mandate over Albania) and abandoned [[Vlorë]] (Italian-occupied since 1914), while retaining a diplomatic protection to guarantee Albania's autonomy and annexing [[Saseno]].

The Italian prime minister of the time, [[Giovanni Giolitti]], described his decision to sign the treaty in the following terms.

{{Quote| "What really interests us is that Vallona cannot form a base of operations against us; and this aim was achieved with the occupation of the islet of Sasseno, which lies at the mouth of the bay itself...For these reasons, I decided to renounce the mandate conferred on us by the Paris Conference on Albania, which would have represented an enormous liability without any profit, and to limit our action to the diplomatic protection of Albania against the aims of other States, and to abandon Vallona, ensuring however recognition of the possession of Sasseno"}}

Mussolini upheld the treaty and unleashed the [[Corfu incident|crisis of Corfu]] against Greece when an Italian mission sent to determine the Albanian-Greek borders was attacked by the Greeks.

== Tirana treaty of 1926 ==
⚫
On November 27, 1926, Italy signed with Albania the ''Pakti i Parë i Tiranës'', the Treaty of Peace and Security,<ref name=":2" /> in Albanian ''Pakti Italo-Shqiptar i Miqësisë dhe i Sigurimit.'' The treaty had a duration validity of five years.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book|title=The Great Soviet Encyclopedia, 3rd Edition (1970-1979)|publisher=The Gale Group, Inc|year=2010}}</ref> It pushed [[Tirana]] to accept Italian officers and ranking members into their army and police<ref name=":0" /> to oversee the Albanian army and train it. [[Zog I of Albania|King Zog]] fearing that the unrest of his people will lead to the loss of his throne, signed the treaty. Italy proclaimed Albania as its "guarantor".<ref name=":1" /> The two countries would provide support to each other, whether it be military or economic. The treaty consisted of five articles.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=http://www.doktoratura.unitir.edu.al/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/DOKORATURA-B-BEDINI.pdf|title=MARRËDHËNIET SHQIPËRI-ITALI GJATË MONARKISË ZOGISTE (1928-1939)|last=Bedini|first=Belina|date=2016}}</ref>


# Anyone going against the existing Albanian [[status quo]] affairs would be seen as an enemy of both the Albanian and Italian states.<ref name=":2" />
# Anyone going against the existing Albanian [[status quo]] affairs would be seen as an enemy of both the Albanian and Italian states.<ref name=":2" />
Line 24: Line 41:
The treaty was accompanied by money provisions to the King making it more appealing for him to sign it by exploiting his desperation.<ref name=":2" /> Albania was blocked in the Balkan and European arena by Italy. The treaty brought reactions to Albania's neighbouring country, [[Yugoslavia]]. The country took military action against Albania's northern border with the support of [[France]]. [[Benito Mussolini|Mussolini]] recognised the Franco-Yugoslav pact as an act against Italy.<ref name=":4" />
The treaty was accompanied by money provisions to the King making it more appealing for him to sign it by exploiting his desperation.<ref name=":2" /> Albania was blocked in the Balkan and European arena by Italy. The treaty brought reactions to Albania's neighbouring country, [[Yugoslavia]]. The country took military action against Albania's northern border with the support of [[France]]. [[Benito Mussolini|Mussolini]] recognised the Franco-Yugoslav pact as an act against Italy.<ref name=":4" />


== Second Treaty of Tirana (1927) ==
== Tirana treaty of 1927==
On November 22, 1927, the Second Treaty of Tirana ( ''Pakti i Dytë i Tiranës'') was signed between Albania and Italy, with a duration validity of twenty years.<ref name=":1" /> It was a defensive alliance characterised by the Italians as the Treaty of Defense, in Albanian ''Traktati i Aleancës'' ''Mbrojtëse''.<ref name=":4" /> The internal threat of a [[famine]] triggering uprisings and the external threat of [[Yugoslavia]] rushed the Albanians to sign the treaty. It intended to remain a secret between the two countries. It tasked Italy to protect the Albanian territory from possible attacks and in return Albania made available to Italy all of its military arsenal. It was favoured by Italy because of its secretive nature. The Second Treaty consisted of seven articles.<ref name=":4" />
On November 22, 1927, the ''Pakti i Dytë i Tiranës'' was signed between Albania and Italy, with a duration validity of twenty years.<ref name=":1" /> It was a defensive alliance characterised by the Italians as the Treaty of Defense, in Albanian ''Traktati i Aleancës'' ''Mbrojtëse''.<ref name=":4" /> The internal threat of a [[famine]] triggering uprisings and the external threat of [[Yugoslavia]] rushed the Albanians to sign the treaty. It intended to remain a secret between the two countries. It tasked Italy to protect the Albanian territory from possible attacks and in return Albania made available to Italy all of its military arsenal. It was favoured by Italy because of its secretive nature. The Second Treaty consisted of seven articles.<ref name=":4" />


# All previously signed Treaties from the accession of Albania in the [[League of Nations]] will be examined carefully.
# All previously signed Treaties from the accession of Albania in the [[League of Nations]] will be examined carefully.
Line 35: Line 52:
# The treaty must be ratified by the respective parliaments and registered in the [[League of Nations]]. The ratification will take place in [[Rome]].
# The treaty must be ratified by the respective parliaments and registered in the [[League of Nations]]. The ratification will take place in [[Rome]].


It was characterised as a Friendship Pact, ''Pakti i Miqësisë'', as it linked the two countries firmly to each other. The treaty allowed the Italians to bring two hundred and eighty<ref name=":4" /> officers to train the Albanian army. Military experts started to instruct Albanian paramilitary groups, whilst allowing in the meantime the Italian navy to access the port of [[Vlorë|Vlorė]].<ref name=":0" /> Fortifications were also built, especially that of [[Librazhd|Librazhdit]] and conditions and rules were created for the protection of the capital. The treaty meant a lot more to the Italians as it enabled them to enter Albania freely, whether a real or fictional threat existed. Their doorway towards the [[Balkans]] had opened. The signage of both the First and the Second Treaties gave the Italians the freedom to access and control the Albanian economy and military, making Albania an Italian [[Protectorate]].<ref name=":2" /> In [[Rome]], a ministry was created specifically to control the Albanian affairs and count Francesco Giacomoni was appointed regent of Albania.<ref name=":2" />
It was characterised as a Friendship Pact, ''Pakti i Miqësisë'', as it linked the two countries firmly to each other. The treaty allowed the Italians to bring two hundred and eighty<ref name=":4" /> officers to train the Albanian army. Military experts started to instruct Albanian paramilitary groups, whilst allowing in the meantime the Italian navy to access the port of [[Vlorë|Vlorė]].<ref name=":0" /> Fortifications were also built, especially that of [[Librazhd|Librazhdit]] and conditions and rules were created for the protection of the capital. The treaty meant a lot more to the Italians as it enabled them to enter Albania freely, whether a real or fictional threat existed. Their doorway towards the [[Balkans]] had opened. Albania came into an inevitable relationship with Italy.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web|title=Tiranë Pact|url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Tirane-Pact|website=[[Britannica]]}}</ref> In [[Rome]], a ministry was created specifically to control the Albanian affairs and count [[Francesco Jacomoni]] was appointed minister to Albania.<ref name=":2" />


== Outcome ==
== Aftermath ==
[[File:Map of Albania during WWII-SQ.png|thumb|293x293px|Albanian map during WWII]]
{{See also|Albania in World War II}}
[[File:Map of Albania during WWII-SQ.png|thumb|Albanian map during WWII]]
[[File:Albanian boy in World war 2.jpg|left|thumb|179x179px|Albanian boy at the Albanian-Yugoslav border (1939)]]
[[File:Albanian boy in World war 2.jpg|thumb|Albanian boy at the Albanian-Yugoslav border (1939)]]
In 1937, [[Galeazzo Ciano|Ciano]], the Italian [[Foreign minister|Foreign Minister]] and Mussolini's son-in-law, mediated with Mussolini to give a further 60 million gold [[franc]]s to Albania.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Coltrinari|first=Massimo|title=Qëndresa e ushtarakëve Italianë në Shqipëri|publisher=Tiranë: LBN Editor|year=2013|pages=66}}</ref> He saw Albania as a gateway to the Balkans and wanted to expand his plans. This happened because:
In 1937, [[Galeazzo Ciano|Ciano]], the Italian [[Foreign minister|Foreign Minister]] and Mussolini's son-in-law, mediated with Mussolini to give a further 60 million gold [[franc]]s to Albania.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Coltrinari|first=Massimo|title=Qëndresa e ushtarakëve Italianë në Shqipëri|publisher=Tiranë: LBN Editor|year=2013|pages=66}}</ref> He saw Albania as a gateway to the Balkans and wanted to expand his plans. This happened because:


# Italy grew tired of Albania and its economic and socio-political problems.
# Italy grew tired of Albania and its economic and socio-political problems.
# Italy started to worry about problems of international politics as in 1936-1937 Europe everything started to shift rapidly, especially the political situation in [[Germany]].<ref name=":4" />
# Italy started to worry about problems of international politics as in 1936-1937 Europe everything started to shift rapidly, especially the political situation in [[Germany]].<ref name=":4" /> [[Zog I of Albania|King Zog]] fled due to the Italian occupation of Albania on April 7, 1939. The Albanian parliament decided to give the crown of the country to the king of Italy, [[Victor Emmanuel III of Italy|Victor Emmanuel III]] on the 12th of April.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=https://www.protagon.gr/themata/flashback/ellinoalvanika-20206000000|title=Ελληνοαλβανικά |publisher=Protagon.gr|language=el|last=Brousalis|first=Karolos|date=2012}}</ref> The existence of an Italian [[Monarchy|monarchical]] constitution suggested that Albania would be at war with countries that opposed Italy. A [[Fascism|fascist]] government was created by the Italians under the Albanian Prime Minister, [[Shefqet Vërlaci|Shefqet Verlaci]]. The Albanian military service was fully incorporated into Italy's.<ref name=":0" /> On 28 October 1940, [[Benito Mussolini|Mussolini]], launched an attack on Greece using Albania as a gateway. The Italians organised military groups consisting of only Albanians and led by Italian army officials.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mixanitouxronou.gr/oi-alvanoi-stratologountai-ston-italiko-strato-kai-etoimazontai-na-eisvaloun-stin-ellada-me-antallagma-ellinikes-periousies-sti-thesprotia-ti-deixnoun-oi-aporrites-anafores-gia-tous-tsamides-synerga/|title=Οι Αλβανοί στρατολογήθηκαν στον ιταλικό στρατό με στόχο την εισβολή στην Ελλάδα|trans-title=Albanians were recruited into the Italian army with the aim of invading Greece|language=el|work=Μηχανή του Χρόνου}}</ref> The invasion aimed to occupy the territory where the [[Cham Albanians]] (Çam or Çamë) lived in [[Western Greece]].<ref name=":3" /> The Greeks pushed back the Italo-Albanian forces and took over [[Korçë|Korcė]] and [[Gjirokastër|Gjirokastėr]], closely leading to the expulsion of the Italians from the port of [[Vlorë|Vlorė]].<ref name=":0" /> The Greek [[nationalism]], decreased the enthusiasm of the Albanians fighting for the Italians. In May 1941 Albania with the help of the [[Axis powers|Axis Powers]] gained control over [[Kosovo]] and in November 1941, Albania, known as "[[Greater Albania]]" due to the land expansion, declared war against the [[Soviet Union]].<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":3" /> Radical [[Communism|Communist]] ideologies took place and there was a formation of a [[Partisan (military)|partisan]] group. The [[National Liberation Movement (Albania)|Albanian partisans]] detested the monarchy but wanted to take control of the power in their country. In 1941, the [[People's Socialist Republic of Albania|Albanian Communist]] party was created by [[Enver Hoxha]]. He was also the editor of the Communist paper ''[[Zëri i Popullit]]'' (Voice of the People).<ref name=":6">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1985/04/12/world/enver-hoxha-mastermind-of-albania-s-isolation.html|title=ENVER HOXHA, MASTERMIND OF ALBANIA'S ISOLATION|date=12 April 1985|work=The New York Times}}</ref> In November 1944, [[Enver Hoxha]], leader of the partisans, occupied Tirana and exiled [[Zog I of Albania|Zog]] from Albania.<ref name=":2" /> In December 1945, after a mock election, [[Enver Hoxha|Hoxha]] was elected President of Albania. Hoxha sought support from neighbouring countries to help the economic situation in Albania. He turned to [[Josip Broz Tito|Tito's]] [[Yugoslavia]] but because of the removal of the Yugoslavian leader from the [[Communist International|Comintern]], he cancelled all his agreements and severed all his diplomatic relations.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|url=https://www.mixanitouxronou.gr/enver-chotza-o-alvanos-stalin-ton-valkanion-didaxe-se-likio-tis-koritsas-polemise-tous-italous-aftoktonise-tous-antipalous-tou-ekane-tous-naous-ke-ta-tzamia-stavlous/|title=Ενβέρ Χότζα, ο Αλβανός "Στάλιν" των Βαλκανίων. [Enver Hoxha, the Albanian "Stalin" of the Balkans.]|website=Mηχανή του Χρόνου (in Greek)}}</ref> Hoxha followed in [[Joseph Stalin|Stalin's]] footsteps that the 1950s Albanian Constitution was a copy of the [[Soviet Union]].<ref name=":5" /> In 1961, in the context of the demobilisation of [[Stalinism]], Soviet leader [[Nikita Khrushchev]] demanded Hoxha's resignation. Instead, Hoxha severed his diplomatic relations with the [[Soviet Union]] and was under the protection of [[Maoism|Maoist]] [[China]].<ref name=":5" /> The cooperation of the two countries did not work out and had as a result the isolation of Albania from the rest of the countries both Communist or not.<ref name=":5" /> Hoxha declared Albania as the first [[Atheism|atheistic]] state in the world, whose only religion was Albanianism.<ref name=":6" /> Any form of religion or religious activity was persecuted and all churches and [[mosque]]s were turned into stables and warehouses.<ref name=":5" /> Religious [[relic]]s from [[Northern Epirus]] were destroyed by the [[Dictatorship|dictatorial]] government of the "Greek Christians" on April 21 to show a warm reaction towards [[Enver Hoxha|Hoxha]]. In the 1970s, Hoxha approached countries in the West. This did not prevent him from liquidations in the state apparatus. In an attempted [[Coup d'état|military coup]] in 1974, involving his own Minister of Defense, he executed half of the [[Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union|Central Committee]] party.<ref name=":6" /> He executed army leaders, government officials and old comrades from the [[Guerrilla warfare|guerrilla]] years.<ref name=":5" /> Nearly half of the [[Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union|Central Committee]]'s party of 1948 were executed in the years that followed under his governing. Economic difficulties led to renewed political and economic strifes and many of the government officials were imprisoned for showing resistance against Hoxha's policies.<ref name=":6" /> At the same time, [[kindergarten]] and elementary school children learned to sing "Uncle Enver" during "spontaneous" events of his people devotion towards him.<ref name=":5" /> Hoxha died on April 11, 1985. [[Hoxhaism]] existed until the 12th June 1991, when the first multi-party parliament was created.[[File:Enver hoxha - white background.jpg|left|thumb|176x176px|Enver Halil Hoxha, Leader of the Albanian Communist Party (1908-1985)|alt=]]

Italy [[Italian protectorate of Albania (1939–1943)|occupied Albania in 1939]] and declared it its protectorate. [[Zog I of Albania|King Zog]] fled due to the Italian occupation of Albania on April 7, 1939. The crown of the country was formally given to the King of Italy, [[Victor Emmanuel III of Italy|Victor Emmanuel III]] on 12 April.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=https://www.protagon.gr/themata/flashback/ellinoalvanika-20206000000|title=Ελληνοαλβανικά |publisher=Protagon.gr|language=el|last=Brousalis|first=Karolos|date=2012}}</ref> A [[Fascism|fascist]] government was created by the Italians under the Albanian Prime Minister, [[Shefqet Vërlaci|Shefqet Verlaci]].<ref name=":0" />


== References ==
== References ==
Line 49: Line 69:


[[Category:1926 in Albania]]
[[Category:1926 in Albania]]
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[[Category:1927 in Albania]]
[[Category:1926 treaties]]
[[Category:1927 treaties]]
[[Category:November 1926 events]]
[[Category:November 1927 events]]
[[Category:Albania–Italy relations]]
[[Category:Albania–Italy relations]]
[[Category:Treaties of Albania]]
[[Category:Treaties of Albania]]
[[Category:Treaties of the Kingdom of Italy (1861–1946)]]
[[Category:Treaties of the Kingdom of Italy (1861–1946)]]
[[Category:Bilateral treaties]]
[[Category:Bilateral treaties]]
[[Category:1927 in Albania]]
[[Category:Zog I]]
[[Category:1926 treaties]]
[[Category:History of Tirana]]
⚫
[[Category:1927 treaties]]

Latest revision as of 15:39, 17 August 2024

The Treaties of Tirana were signed in Tirana between Albania and Italy in the 1920s, bringing Albania into the Italian sphere of influence and gradually turning the Albanian state into a de facto protectorate of Italy.[1]

Background

[edit]
Main article: History of Albania

The Kingdom of Albania

[edit]
Flag Of The Kingdom Of Albania (1928-1934)
Ahmet Zogu, known as King Zog I, the King of the Albanians (1895-1961)

At the time of the signing of the treaties, the country of Albania was under the kingship of Zog I of Albania, known in Albanian as the king of the Albanians, Mbreti i Shqiptarëve. In 1925, Ahmet Zogu, was elected president for seven years and on 1 September 1928, during his swearing ceremony, he proclaimed himself as the King.[2] Being the first and the last king of the Albanian nation, he served the country from 1922 until he fled to London during the start of the Second World War in 1939. Albania was thought by Italy as the portal for the rest of the Balkan countries, Greece, and the Near Eastern countries.[3] In May 1925, Albania accepted the proposal of the Italians and the Albanian National Bank was founded. It acted as the country's treasury despite being solely controlled by the Italian banks.[4] For the first time, Albania had its own national coin minted. The proposal came with a five-year loan equivalent of about 2 million pounds of that time.[2] In non-official meetings with Italian officials, Zog expressed his sympathy for Mussolini and the Italians. He even promised economic concessions to them further piquing their interest in the country of Albania.[5] From the beginning seizing the power as king of the Albanians, Zog wanted to:

  1. Develop the Albanian economy.
  2. Legitimise the power of the country and his sovereignty.
  3. Achieve recognition of his government by neighbouring states.[5] Zog knew that without any external support he would not be able to achieve these. Zog accepted to restore order in his country and help with its development. The 1925 agreement also oversaw mineral concessions of the Albanian land.[6] During this time, the Italo-Albanian relations were favoured more and more by Italy. Mussolini had two orientations regarding the future of Albania.[5] On one hand, it was a peaceful orientation for an Albanian economic diffusion until a de facto protectorate over Albania was achieved and on the other hand, for the accomplishment of a permanent imperialistic occupation.[5] This weakened the King's economic hold and slowly gave way for the two Treaties to be signed by Zog and the Italian dictator, Mussolini.

Tirana treaty of 1920

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See also: Vlora War

A first treaty of Tirana between Italy and Albania was signed on 2 August 1920 to end hostilities between Italian troops and Albanian nationalists in the aftermath of World War I, some years before the rise to power of Mussolini in Italy and Zog in Albania.[7] This agreement contained the following clause:

Italy undertakes to recognize and defend the autonomy of Albania and, retaining only Saseno, abandons Vallona.

Italy recognized Albania as independent (despite plans to create an Italian mandate over Albania) and abandoned Vlorë (Italian-occupied since 1914), while retaining a diplomatic protection to guarantee Albania's autonomy and annexing Saseno.

The Italian prime minister of the time, Giovanni Giolitti, described his decision to sign the treaty in the following terms.

"What really interests us is that Vallona cannot form a base of operations against us; and this aim was achieved with the occupation of the islet of Sasseno, which lies at the mouth of the bay itself...For these reasons, I decided to renounce the mandate conferred on us by the Paris Conference on Albania, which would have represented an enormous liability without any profit, and to limit our action to the diplomatic protection of Albania against the aims of other States, and to abandon Vallona, ensuring however recognition of the possession of Sasseno"

Mussolini upheld the treaty and unleashed the crisis of Corfu against Greece when an Italian mission sent to determine the Albanian-Greek borders was attacked by the Greeks.

Tirana treaty of 1926

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On November 27, 1926, Italy signed with Albania the Pakti i Parë i Tiranës, the Treaty of Peace and Security,[2] in Albanian Pakti Italo-Shqiptar i Miqësisë dhe i Sigurimit. The treaty had a duration validity of five years.[8] It pushed Tirana to accept Italian officers and ranking members into their army and police[4] to oversee the Albanian army and train it. King Zog fearing that the unrest of his people will lead to the loss of his throne, signed the treaty. Italy proclaimed Albania as its "guarantor".[8] The two countries would provide support to each other, whether it be military or economic. The treaty consisted of five articles.[5]

  1. Anyone going against the existing Albanian status quo affairs would be seen as an enemy of both the Albanian and Italian states.[2]
  2. Both countries would not associate with other political or military agreements that harms the interests of each other.
  3. Both parties are subjected to a special conciliation if issues that cannot be resolved via a diplomatic order arise.
  4. The treaty shall remain in force for five years and may be denounced or renewed for one year before its end.
  5. The treaty shall be ratified and registered with the League of Nations. The ratification will take place in Rome.[9]

The treaty was accompanied by money provisions to the King making it more appealing for him to sign it by exploiting his desperation.[2] Albania was blocked in the Balkan and European arena by Italy. The treaty brought reactions to Albania's neighbouring country, Yugoslavia. The country took military action against Albania's northern border with the support of France. Mussolini recognised the Franco-Yugoslav pact as an act against Italy.[5]

Tirana treaty of 1927

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On November 22, 1927, the Pakti i Dytë i Tiranës was signed between Albania and Italy, with a duration validity of twenty years.[8] It was a defensive alliance characterised by the Italians as the Treaty of Defense, in Albanian Traktati i Aleancës Mbrojtëse.[5] The internal threat of a famine triggering uprisings and the external threat of Yugoslavia rushed the Albanians to sign the treaty. It intended to remain a secret between the two countries. It tasked Italy to protect the Albanian territory from possible attacks and in return Albania made available to Italy all of its military arsenal. It was favoured by Italy because of its secretive nature. The Second Treaty consisted of seven articles.[5]

  1. All previously signed Treaties from the accession of Albania in the League of Nations will be examined carefully.
  2. Inalienable alliance for twenty years unless one of the two countries states differently on the eighteenth or nineteenth year. If not, the treaty will quietly be renewed again.
  3. Both countries will strive to assist one another to achieve peace. If one party is threatened, the other must provide effective means to stop the attack and provide satisfaction to the attacked party.
  4. If all means of reconciliation are exhausted, the one party is obliged to use air force and military force, as well as a financial support to assist the attacked party.
  5. In regards Article 4, neither party is allowed to amnesty, ceasefire or peace negotiations unless its agreed between both parties.
  6. The treaty is signed in two Albanian and two Italian original copies. Four copies overall.
  7. The treaty must be ratified by the respective parliaments and registered in the League of Nations. The ratification will take place in Rome.

It was characterised as a Friendship Pact, Pakti i Miqësisë, as it linked the two countries firmly to each other. The treaty allowed the Italians to bring two hundred and eighty[5] officers to train the Albanian army. Military experts started to instruct Albanian paramilitary groups, whilst allowing in the meantime the Italian navy to access the port of Vlorė.[4] Fortifications were also built, especially that of Librazhdit and conditions and rules were created for the protection of the capital. The treaty meant a lot more to the Italians as it enabled them to enter Albania freely, whether a real or fictional threat existed. Their doorway towards the Balkans had opened. Albania came into an inevitable relationship with Italy.[2][10] In Rome, a ministry was created specifically to control the Albanian affairs and count Francesco Jacomoni was appointed minister to Albania.[2]

Aftermath

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See also: Albania in World War II
Albanian map during WWII
Albanian boy at the Albanian-Yugoslav border (1939)

In 1937, Ciano, the Italian Foreign Minister and Mussolini's son-in-law, mediated with Mussolini to give a further 60 million gold francs to Albania.[11] He saw Albania as a gateway to the Balkans and wanted to expand his plans. This happened because:

  1. Italy grew tired of Albania and its economic and socio-political problems.
  2. Italy started to worry about problems of international politics as in 1936-1937 Europe everything started to shift rapidly, especially the political situation in Germany.[5]

Italy occupied Albania in 1939 and declared it its protectorate. King Zog fled due to the Italian occupation of Albania on April 7, 1939. The crown of the country was formally given to the King of Italy, Victor Emmanuel III on 12 April.[12] A fascist government was created by the Italians under the Albanian Prime Minister, Shefqet Verlaci.[4]

References

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  1. ^ "20th-century international relations - Italy, East Central Europe | Britannica". www.britannica.com. 9 July 2024. Retrieved 10 August 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Brewer, David (2016). Ελλάδα 1940-1949: Πόλεμο;, Κατοχή, Αντίσταση, Εμφύλιος (in Greek). athens: Patakis. pp. 25–33.
  3. ^ "The New York Times Archives".
  4. ^ a b c d History of Albania. "Italian Penetration".
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Bedini, Belina (2016). "MARRËDHËNIET SHQIPËRI-ITALI GJATË MONARKISË ZOGISTE (1928-1939)" (PDF).
  6. ^ "Memoranda Submitted by the Albanian Government on the Draft Peace Treaty With Italy".
  7. ^ Kalaja, Deona Cali (2016). "The admission of Albania in the League of Nations" (PDF). Journal of Liberty and International Affairs. 1 (3): 55–68 – via SSOAR.
  8. ^ a b c The Great Soviet Encyclopedia, 3rd Edition (1970-1979). The Gale Group, Inc. 2010.
  9. ^ Swire, Joseph (2005). Shqipëria ngritja e një mbretërie. Tiranë: Dituria. p. 375.
  10. ^ "Tiranë Pact". Britannica.
  11. ^ Coltrinari, Massimo (2013). Qëndresa e ushtarakëve Italianë në Shqipëri. Tiranë: LBN Editor. p. 66.
  12. ^ Brousalis, Karolos (2012). "Ελληνοαλβανικά" (in Greek). Protagon.gr.
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