In 1912, as the dust settled on the Balkan Wars, Albania broke free from the yoke of the Ottoman Empire and declared independence. It is a small, mountainous country that has historically been influenced and interfered with by neighboring powers. While the world is gradually moving towards modernization, the nascent nation is still struggling for national identity and national sovereignty. In this context, Enver Hoxha, an Albanian youth born in 1908, will be a key figure in the country's destiny in the years to come.
The story of Enver Hoxha begins in an ordinary rural family. His uncle, Hissen, a devout atheist and scholar, had a profound influence on him. Hissen once said to him, "Enver, knowledge is power, and it can change fate." These words were deeply implanted in the young Hoxha's heart.
In 1930, Hoxha received a scholarship to the University of Montpellier in France with honors. There he came into contact with the ideas of Marxism and gradually formed his own political views. He made an impassioned statement at a student rally: "We must fight for the liberation of the people under oppression!" Our country needs us, we need real independence! These words resonated with many students present.
In 1936, Hoxha returned to Albania with great enthusiasm and became a teacher, while secretly participating in the establishment of a communist cell. In 1941, when Italy invaded Albania, Hoxha's life and activities entered a new phase. He organized several protests and marches to openly oppose Italian rule. At a secret meeting at night, Hoxha said to his comrades: "We cannot sit idly by!" Our freedom does not fall from the sky, it is up to us to earn it! ”
With the founding of the Albanian Communist Party, Hoxha became a central figure in the party. With the support of Yugoslavia, he not only built an organized army, but also received assistance from the United Kingdom and other Allied powers. By 1944, Hoxha's army had succeeded in driving out the Germans and liberating Albania. At the liberation celebrations in the capital, Hoxha announced to the people: "Today, we are not only free, but also masters!" It's a win for all of us! ”
Hoxha showed his political prowess in the process of establishing a socialist state in Albania, but his methods also sparked controversy. He cracked down on the opposition, and anyone perceived as a threat was ruthlessly purged. He once asserted at an internal party meeting: "For the sake of the security of the country and we must clear all hostile elements." ”
Under Hoxha's rule, Albania achieved a certain degree of industrialization and universal access to education, but at the same time it came at a heavy cost. Although the country has maintained its independence and stability under his iron-fisted policies, the freedoms and rights of the people have been severely restricted. Hoxha's political career ended with his death in 1985, leaving Albania with a legacy of both accomplishments and deep contradictions.
Enver Hoxha's life is a chapter in the history of Albania that cannot be ignored. He is a highly controversial figure, on the one hand, he is an indispensable promoter of the modernization process of Albania, making an important contribution to the independence and development of the country; On the other hand, the way he rules also shows the dark side of power, which can go to extremes even in the pursuit of noble goals. Hoxha's story reminds us that the evaluation of history is often not black and white, but a deep and complex gray. His career, like a mirror, reflects the complex interweaving of ideals and reality in human nature, which is thought-provoking.