Lyla Lindsey
Albania and Austria-Hungary's historical relations are complex. While Austria-Hungary played a crucial role in Albania's independence, Albania was never part of the Austria-Hungarian Empire. Instead, it supported an independent Albanian culture and state, which was unique among the major powers at the time. Austria-Hungary's interest in Albania was strategic, aiming to prevent its absorption by the Balkan Powers and maintain influence in the region. During World War I, Austria-Hungary occupied Albania, and thousands of Albanians fought alongside the Austro-Hungarian army. However, Albania's leadership refused to send soldiers to fight with Austria-Hungary, citing their neutrality.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Albania's independence | Supported by Austria-Hungary |
| Albania's independence | Opposed by Slavic nations |
| Austria-Hungary's role | Prepared Albania's independence for thirty years |
| Austria-Hungary's role | Signed agreements with Great Powers |
| Austria-Hungary's role | Collaborated with local factors in Albania |
| Austria-Hungary's role | Increased national consciousness through Albanian schools, Albanology, and education of Albanians in universities |
| Austria-Hungary's role | Maintained the Ottoman status quo to avoid Albania's separation between Balkan Powers |
| Austria-Hungary's role | Built roads and schools in the Albanian language |
| Austria-Hungary's role | Supplied weapons to build a modern Albanian army |
| Austria-Hungary's role | Supported by thousands of Albanians who fought alongside them |
| Austria-Hungary's role | Supported by the Albanian population against the Italians |
| Austria-Hungary's role | Invaded Albania in June 1916 |
| Austria-Hungary's role | Occupied most of Albania until September 1918 |
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What You'll Learn
Albania's independence was supported by Austria-Hungary
Albania declared its independence on 28 November 1912, just two years before the outbreak of World War I. During this time, Austria-Hungary played a crucial role in supporting Albania's independence, particularly in the context of opposing the expansionist ambitions of Slavic nations like Serbia and Montenegro, which sought to dominate Albanian lands.
Austria-Hungary's involvement in Albania can be traced back to the early 20th century, when both countries shared similar challenges regarding significant populations residing outside their respective borders. Additionally, irredentist movements emerged in both nations, aiming for the creation of Greater Hungary and Greater Albania, but these aspirations were hindered by the strength of neighbouring countries.
Austria-Hungary actively promoted an independent Albanian culture and worked towards the creation of an Albanian state. This support for Albanian independence was multi-faceted and included diplomatic, political, and military assistance. For instance, Austro-Hungarian diplomatic efforts were instrumental in expelling Serbian and Montenegrin armies from Durrës and Shkodër in 1912 during the First Balkan War.
Furthermore, Austria-Hungary sought to foster a sense of national consciousness among Albanians by promoting education in Albanian schools, Albanology, and the enrolment of Albanians in universities. They also invested in infrastructure development, building roads, and establishing schools that taught in the Albanian language to reduce Italian influences. Additionally, Austria-Hungary supplied weapons to Albania with the intention of building a modern Albanian army, although these efforts were interrupted by the outbreak of World War I.
During World War I, Austria-Hungary occupied most of Albania and enjoyed broad support from the Albanian population. Thousands of Albanians even joined the Austro-Hungarian army and fought alongside them, particularly against the Italians. This support for Albania's independence continued during the occupation, as Austria-Hungary left the local administration intact and formed an Albanian gendarmerie.
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Austria-Hungary's occupation of Albania during WWI
Albania was occupied by several different powers during World War I, including Austria-Hungary, which was the only pro-Albanian power among the Great Powers. Austria-Hungary had a unique relationship with Albania and played a significant role in the creation of an independent Albanian state before World War I.
In the lead-up to World War I, Austria-Hungary was the only country among the Great Powers that supported the creation of an independent Albanian state. This support was strategic, as an independent Albania would be easier to cross than the Ottoman Empire, which was in decline. Austria-Hungary worked with the local factor in Albania to increase national consciousness and prepare Albanians for independence. They collaborated with the Great Powers and signed several agreements to promote Albania's future statehood.
During World War I, Albania was initially occupied by Greece, Italy, Serbia, and Montenegro. However, Austria-Hungary invaded in June 1916 and occupied most of the country until the end of the war in 1918. Austria-Hungary considered Albania a Friendly Occupied Country and left the local administration in place while forming an Albanian gendarmerie. They promoted an independent Albanian culture, built infrastructure, and supported agricultural development. Thousands of Albanians joined the Austro-Hungarian army and fought alongside them, particularly against Italian influence in Albania.
Austria-Hungary's occupation of Albania during World War I was part of a broader strategy to maintain influence in the region and promote an independent Albanian state. While Albania was officially a neutral country, it became a battleground for the Central Powers and the Allies, with various powers occupying different regions at different times.
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Albania's independence from the Ottoman Empire
The roots of Albania's independence can be traced back to March 1911 when Albanian nationalists, led by Ded Gjo Luli, rebelled against the Ottoman government in northern Albania. This rebellion resulted in the proclamation of a Provisional Government of Albania, headed by Dr. Terenc Toçi, on April 27, 1911. However, the Ottoman government responded by declaring martial law and sending troops to suppress the rebellion.
The turning point came on November 28, 1912, during the First Balkan War. Led by Ismail Kemal Bey, Albanian nationalists proclaimed the independence of Albania from the Ottoman Empire in the port of Valona (Vlorë). This date is significant as it marks the official declaration of Independent Albania, with its own assembly, government, and senate. The delegates at the All-Albanian Congress in Vlorë unanimously agreed that Albania needed to be free and independent to prevent the division of its territory among the Balkan allies.
However, the path to full independence was not straightforward. Initially, the major European powers, including Austria-Hungary, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, and Russia, did not support Albania's independence. Instead, they opted for Albania to remain under Ottoman suzerainty with autonomous rule. This decision was formalized in the Treaty of London on May 30, 1913, which partitioned a significant part of the territory claimed by Albania among Serbia, Greece, and Montenegro.
Nevertheless, Albania continued to push for full independence. The London Conference of 1913, convened to discuss the "Albanian question," resulted in a compromise. The European powers recognized Albania as an autonomous state under the sovereignty of the Ottoman sultan. This compromise was short-lived due to the outbreak of the Balkan Wars. On July 29, 1913, the ambassadors of the European powers decided to recognize the total independence and sovereignty of Albania, governed by a European prince elected by the powers.
Throughout this period, Austria-Hungary played a complex role. While it did not initially support Albania's full independence, it promoted an independent Albanian culture and collaborated with the Great Powers to prepare Albanians for a future independent state. During World War I, Austria-Hungary continued to exert influence in Albania, supplying weapons and building infrastructure, as it viewed Albania as within its sphere of influence.
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Albania's relations with Hungary after WWI
Albania and Hungary's diplomatic relations date back to 1912, when Albania declared its independence on November 28, 1912. However, the lead-up to World War I saw Albania descend into disarray, with tribes and regions rebelling against central rule. The country lacked a single recognised government, and Albanians feared that Italy, Yugoslavia, and Greece would extinguish Albania's independence.
During World War I, Austria-Hungary occupied Albania and promoted an independent Albanian culture, which enjoyed broad support from the population against the Italians. Thousands of Albanians joined the Austro-Hungarian army and fought alongside it. Austria-Hungary also supplied weapons to Albania and built roads and schools in the Albanian language.
After World War I, Albania continued to experience political confusion. The Treaty of London, signed in April 1915, promised Italy control over Vlorë and nearby lands, as well as a protectorate over Albania, in exchange for entering the war against Austria-Hungary. Serbia and Montenegro were promised much of northern Albania, and Greece was promised the southern half of the country. This left Albania with fears of losing its independence and being carved up by its neighbours.
Albania and Hungary's relations intensified after World War I as both countries became part of the Eastern Bloc and founding members of the Warsaw Pact. However, relations were disrupted by the Soviet-Albanian split and were only resuscitated after the fall of Communism. Today, both countries are members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe. Hungary, as a European Union member, supports Albania in its euro-integration path.
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Albania's alliance with Austria-Hungary against Italy
Albania was not part of Austria-Hungary, but the two nations did have a complex relationship during the early 20th century, particularly during World War I. During this time, Albania was occupied by various invading forces, including Austria-Hungary, Italy, Serbia, Montenegro, Greece, Bulgaria, and France.
In the years leading up to World War I, Austria-Hungary played a significant role in the creation and support of an independent Albanian state. Between 1912 and 1913, Austria-Hungary was the only pro-Albanian power among the Great Powers, and it worked to promote an independent Albanian culture and identity. They collaborated with the local factor in Albania to increase national consciousness through Albanian schools, Albanology, and the education of Albanians in universities. They also built roads and schools that taught in the Albanian language.
However, during World War I, the relationship between Albania and Austria-Hungary became more complicated. While Austria-Hungary did occupy parts of Albania during the war, they also faced Albanian forces fighting alongside the Allies. Despite this, several thousand Albanians fought alongside the Austro-Hungarian army, particularly against the Italians. Italy, at the time, wanted to establish a pro-Italian Albanian puppet state.
The complex dynamics of the time also involved other regional powers. For example, Bulgaria and Austria-Hungary rivalled each other to establish influence in Albania, and Italy supported the creation of an independent Albanian state for its strategic benefits. Additionally, Serbia's access to the sea from Albania was a point of contention, with Austria-Hungary mobilizing its army and threatening Serbia.
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Frequently asked questions
Albania was an independent state that enjoyed broad support from Austria-Hungary, which promoted an independent Albanian culture during its occupation of the country in World War I.
Austria-Hungary played a critical role in Albania's independence from the Ottoman Empire. Austria-Hungary supported an independent Albanian state and opposed attempts by Slavic nations to dominate Albanian lands.
Yes, thousands of Albanians joined the Austro-Hungarian army and fought alongside them during World War I.
