The Italian occupation

• Author: Jonela Canaj
• Position: University of Tirana
• Pages: 202-210

Vol. 1 No. 2

June, 2017

European Journal of Economics, Law and Social Sciences

IIPCCL Publishing, Graz-Austria

ISSN 2519-1284

Acces online at www.iipccl.org

202

The Italian occupation

PhD (C.) Jonela Canaj

University of Tirana

Abstract

Albania was occupied from fascist Italy on April 7, 1939. Strategic plans for the establishment

of fascist regimes in the Balkans led to the invasion of Albania. According to the division made

by the powers of the Fascist Bloc, Italy was recognized as having the right to extend the rule

in the Western Balkans. Ciano came to Albania a er the occupation and personally took care

of this ma er. An Interim Administrative Commi ee was formed by Xhafer Ypi, a former Zog

minister, who in a radio broadcast statement justifi ed the Italian invasion by emphasizing that

Albania under King Zog regime was near a disaster and that Italy prevented this.

On April 12 1939, the Assembly was established, consisting mostly of large landowners,

landlords, merchants, clergymen, clerks, and former Zog O cers. Of the 150 participants,

40 had been in Zog Parliament. On April 13 1939, the Italian Upper Fascist Council convened

in Rome and approved the request of the Constitutional Assembly for joining Albania with

Italy. On April 16, Prime Minister Shefqet Vërlaci appeared in Rome and handed King Victor

Emmanuel to the Crown III of Albania.

Major military and police forces, which reached 100,000 troops, landed in the country in order

to maintain order and to suppress the anti-fascist resistance that revived since the early days

of the invasion.

Keywords: Albania, Italy, occupation, Balkan, military.

Introduction

According to the division made by the powers of the Fascist Bloc, Italy was recognized

as having the right to extend the rule in the Western Balkans. Population from north

to south made resistance with weapons, creating di culties for Italian troops, but

compared to the weapons that the enemy possessed had to be handed over. The

Albanian state is in the hands of the invaders who strive to act quickly and with all

the necessary means for the Italianization of the country. Albania, with its location on

the Adriatic coast, is rich in large natural resources, the use of which will bring great

gains to Italy. Its favorable location geographically interested Rome for its expansionist

plans in the Balkans and beyond. The aggression undertaken later in Greece and

Yugoslavia was the demonstration of such plans and allegations. Having managed

to penetrate the entire territory, the main task for the fascist regime was to establish

political institutions. Ciano came to Albania a er the occupation and personally took

care of this ma er. An Interim Administrative Commi ee was formed by Xhafer Ypi, a

former Zog minister, who in a radio broadcast statement justifi ed the Italian invasion

by emphasizing that Albania under King Zog regime was near a disaster and that

Italy prevented this. Guided by Ciano, Ypi on April 12 assembled the Assembly1,

which was dominated by the owners, merchants, clergymen, former King's o cers,

1 AMPJ, V. 1946, D. 93.