He also presided over the country’s descent into economic chaos. He used many of the same intimidation tactics employed by the Communist regime in the preceding decades. Berisha’s first term in office was disastrous. 1944) – When he assumed the presidency in 1992, Berisha became the first Albanian leader not affiliated with the Communist Party in almost 50 years. In 1992 he stepped down as the country’s leader. He was ultimately undone by his party affiliation and the economic collapse that accompanied the dissolution of the state-controlled economy.
He did his best to help Albania transition from Communism to a free market economy and from a one-party state to a multi-party democracy. Although more moderate than his predecessor, Alia was still inextricably linked to the brutal Communist regime. Ramiz Alia (1925-2011) – Alia took over the leadership of Albania after Hoxha’s death in 1985.
In spite of his brutality, many Albanians still think fondly of him because of the tremendous improvements he made to Albania’s education and healthcare system. Hoxha also cemented his popular support and suppressed dissent with his fiercely nationalistic rhetoric. An admirer of Stalin’s, Hoxha never hesitated to exile, imprison, or execute his rivals. He was also one of the most brutal Communist dictators in Eastern Europe. In recent years Albania has begun to stabilize and is now seeking greater integration into modern Europe.Įnver Hoxha (1908-85) – Hoxha was the face of Communism in Albania. Some successfully immigrated, but many were sent back to Albania where economic and civic chaos reigned for much of the 1990s. Many Albanians desperately fled the chaos for Italy and Greece.
Albania’s transition out of Communism was not easy. While some reforms happened in 19, the real transition did not take place until 19. Perhaps because it was so isolated from other countries in the Eastern Bloc, Albania was the last East European country to transition out of Communism and into Capitalism. When Hoxha burned all those bridges by the late 1970s, Albania was forced into intense international isolation. For much of his rule, Hoxha relied on the support of a Communist ally (first Yugoslavia, then the USSR, and finally China) to prop up his country’s economy with goods and favorable trade agreements. Between 19, Albania was ruled by the dictator Enver Hoxha. Under Communist rule Albania was known for being the most isolated and most anti-religious country in the Eastern Bloc. This time the Democratic Party wins, and their leader, Sali Berisha, assumes the presidency.ġ992-97 – There is widespread violence, looting, and chaos as Albania struggles to make a successful transition to capitalism.ġ997 – Berisha steps down after multiple corruption scandals and years of economic troubles. These reforms include allowing certain religious practices, loosening travel restrictions, permitting some free market activity, and sanctioning the formation of other political parties.ġ991 – First multi-party elections held, but the Communist faction retains power.ġ992 – New elections are called after social conditions continue to deteriorate.
This proves disastrous for the economy and quality of life in the country.ġ981 – Mehmet Shehu, Albania’s second most powerful political figure since the 1940s, commits “suicide.” Most believe his death was ordered by his long-time friend Hoxha and made to look self-inflicted.ġ985 – Hoxha dies and is replaced by the more moderate Ramiz Alia.ġ989 & 1990 – The government enacts a series of reforms that it hopes will be enough to calm the masses. With the Germans gone, Enver Hoxha begins Albania’s rapid conversion to the Communism.ġ948 – After initially relying heavily on support from Yugoslavia, Albania breaks its ties with its neighbor and allies itself with the Soviet Union.ġ961 – Albania ends its relationship with the Soviet Union and allies itself with China.ġ967 – Hoxha proclaims Albania the world’s first atheist state.ġ968 – After the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia, Albania becomes the only nation to withdraw from the Warsaw Pact, a collective defense treaty among the European Communist states.ġ978 – After nearly a decade of disagreements, Albania ends its relationship with China and becomes completely isolated internationally. Unlike many other countries in Eastern Europe, Albania was not liberated by the Soviet Union. 1939 – Italy invades and occupies Albania.ġ943 – The Italian army retreats, but their retreat is quickly followed by a German invasion and conquest of Albania.ġ944 – The anti-fascist National Liberation Movement, led largely by the Albanian Communist Party, expels the Germans.