Italian policy in Albania, 1894-1943
Main Article Content
Abstract
“Italian Policy in Albania, 1894-1943” is a brief overview of policy during
the most active years of Italian interest in Albania. The paper identifies three
principle policy-makers and their three respective policy directions, beginning
with cultural contacts and culminating in invasion and annexation. The first phase, as exemplified by the Italo-Albanian lawyer and publicist Anselmo Lorrecchio, had as its goal the cultural awakening of Albanians as a prelude to some form of Albanian unity. Of the three, this phase was perhaps the most useful with regard to indigenous development. This semiprivate, primarily cultural interest was rapidly superceded by direct government involvement under Premier Francesco Crispi who took it upon himself to rapidly expand Italian influence across the Adriatic. Crispi’s policies, although they alienated many Albanian patriots, made many Albanians more aware of their national interests and individuality. Ultimately, Crispi’s policies were at least somewhat responsible for Albania’s premature independence. The third phase, which culminates in the invasion and annexation of Albania in 1939, constituted the most active and yet least productive phase of Italian policy in Albania. Fascist policy initially hc>ped to politically subjugate Albania by the establishment of an economic protectorate. While Mussolini and, more significantly, Count Ciano were able to accomplish the latter, King Zog effectively prevented the Italians from peacefully achieving their ultimate goal. Zog’s victory, however, was a pyrrhic one in that his success provoked armed aggression and eventual annexation. While Italian policy during this period began altruistically, as the government became increasingly involved, Italian policy became increasingly more furious, as well as increasingly less fruitful for both Rome and Tirana. The
most positive result came about unintentionally. Italy’s policy encouraged the Albanians to more rapidly develop a national consciousness in order to stand as a unit against Italian expansion.
the most active years of Italian interest in Albania. The paper identifies three
principle policy-makers and their three respective policy directions, beginning
with cultural contacts and culminating in invasion and annexation. The first phase, as exemplified by the Italo-Albanian lawyer and publicist Anselmo Lorrecchio, had as its goal the cultural awakening of Albanians as a prelude to some form of Albanian unity. Of the three, this phase was perhaps the most useful with regard to indigenous development. This semiprivate, primarily cultural interest was rapidly superceded by direct government involvement under Premier Francesco Crispi who took it upon himself to rapidly expand Italian influence across the Adriatic. Crispi’s policies, although they alienated many Albanian patriots, made many Albanians more aware of their national interests and individuality. Ultimately, Crispi’s policies were at least somewhat responsible for Albania’s premature independence. The third phase, which culminates in the invasion and annexation of Albania in 1939, constituted the most active and yet least productive phase of Italian policy in Albania. Fascist policy initially hc>ped to politically subjugate Albania by the establishment of an economic protectorate. While Mussolini and, more significantly, Count Ciano were able to accomplish the latter, King Zog effectively prevented the Italians from peacefully achieving their ultimate goal. Zog’s victory, however, was a pyrrhic one in that his success provoked armed aggression and eventual annexation. While Italian policy during this period began altruistically, as the government became increasingly involved, Italian policy became increasingly more furious, as well as increasingly less fruitful for both Rome and Tirana. The
most positive result came about unintentionally. Italy’s policy encouraged the Albanians to more rapidly develop a national consciousness in order to stand as a unit against Italian expansion.
Article Details
Issue
Section
Articles