Lecture

William Tyler
Albania: Nearly a Century of Modern Nationhood, 1912-2022

Monday 16.01.2023

Summary

The story of modern Albania begins with the Balkan Wars prior to WWI. At the war’s end, Albania declared its independence from Constantinople, and declared the German Prince William of Wied King. Such national enthusiasm was soon curbed by the events of WWI. William fled Albania in the opening months of the war, never to return.

An Albanian Republic was finally proclaimed in 1925. A new political leader emerged, Zog, who was declared Albania’s King in 1928. In 1939, as war loomed again across Europe, Zog fled into exile, and like William before him, never returned to his native country.

As WWII came to a close, Communists seized power and Enver Hoxha emerged as the country’s postwar leader. When Marxism collapsed, the Communist regime was overthrown and Albania began the painful process of adapting to democracy. It has since joined NATO and applied to join the EU.

Further Reading: The Albanians: A Modern History by Miranda Vickers. Published by Bloomsbury Academic.

Geopolitics 462 lectures

History 653 lectures

William Tyler

William Tyler has spent his entire professional life in adult education, beginning at Kingsgate College in 1969. He has lectured widely for many public bodies, including the University of Cambridge and the WEA, in addition to speaking to many clubs and societies. In 2009, William was awarded the MBE for services to adult education, and he has previously been a scholar in residence at the London Jewish Cultural Centre. Link to William’ s blog with recommended book lists for his Lockdown lectures.

The Albanians we have seen here have been very poor and many have tried begging for money. If one planned a holiday there, would it be safe, and what would be the best way to see the country?

I’m not the person to ask. You must look up all the tourist information and look at your travel agents and ask. You’re best to go on a, if nervous, you are definitely best to go in an organized party.

Would you compare Albanian communism to North Korea?

I think you could make that comparison, yes. And, Yona, you give the correct pronunciation. They also told me how Albanians helped their neighbours who were Jews. Yes, absolutely. And that’s really important. And Trudy is going to explain why it that was important to Albanians, and it’s part of their philosophy that you help those who are fleeing.

What is the difference between the Balkan and Baltic states?

The Baltic is in the north, the Baltic is Lithuania and Latvia, Estonia and Finland. They, it’s up on the Baltic Sea. The Balkans are down in the, in the mountain ranges or Southeast Europe. One is in Northwest Europe, the other is in Southeast Europe. They just simply happen to begin with B, but they’re quite different.

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William TylerAlbania: Nearly a Century of Modern Nationhood, 1912-2022

Summary

William Tyler

William Tyler
Albania: Nearly a Century of Modern Nationhood, 1912-2022