BIOGRAPHY
Life of Enver Hoxha: Childhood and Education
Enver Hoxha was born in Gjirokastra, southern Albania, on 16 October 1908; his father was a modest clerk, who emigrated to America for many years; his mother was a housewife. A great influence on Enver Hoxha’s spiritual growth was exerted by his uncle Hyen Hoxha, a man who was a determined revolutionary for that period.
The independence of Albania
Enver Hoxha represented Gjirokastra on 28 November 1912 in the act of proclaiming the independence of Albania, signing a document that consecrated the will of the Albanian people to free themselves from the yoke of the Turkish empire.
The independence of Albania
Enver Hoxha represented Gjirokastra on 28 November 1912 in the act of proclaiming the independence of Albania, signing a document that consecrated the will of the Albanian people to free themselves from the yoke of the Turkish empire.
Opposition to King Zog
Enver Hoxha later also took a hostile attitude towards the reactionary regime of King Zog. This played a fundamental role in the formation of his political ideas. In his city he breathed the air of protest against a repressive government which culminated in the democratic revolution of 1924. After finishing primary school he attended high school in Gjirokastra.
Opposition to King Zog
Enver Hoxha later also took a hostile attitude towards the reactionary regime of King Zog. This played a fundamental role in the formation of his political ideas. In his city he breathed the air of protest against a repressive government which culminated in the democratic revolution of 1924. After finishing primary school he attended high school in Gjirokastra.
Student Life
At 16 he was already among the first initiators and also secretary of the Gjirokastra Students’ Society, which was permeated by a democratic-revolutionary spirit. He led the protest of progressive students when the center was closed by the government after a year. He left Gjirokastra to move to Korça, where he continued his studies at the French high school. Here he learned French history, literature and philosophy. In this city he read for the first time the “Communist Manifesto” which was given to him by a worker named Koçi Bako.
Student life
At 16 he was already among the first initiators and also secretary of the Gjirokastra Students’ Society, which was permeated by a democratic-revolutionary spirit. He led the protest of progressive students when the center was closed by the government after a year. He left Gjirokastra to move to Korça, where he continued his studies at the French high school. Here he learned French history, literature and philosophy. In this city he read for the first time the “Communist Manifesto” which was given to him by a worker named Koçi Bako.
Ideological Influences
During this period he also learned about the October Socialist Revolution for the first time; all this together with the ideas of the French Revolution that thrilled Enver Hoxha, determined his cultural development and his political tendencies. In the summer of 1930 he finished his studies at the high school in Korça with excellent grades; in the same year he won a scholarship to attend the faculty of natural sciences in Montepellier in France. He wanted to study philosophy or law.
Studies in France
Here he attended the lectures and conferences of the Workers’ Association organized by the French Communist Party. After a year, not having much interest in biology, he left Montepellier to go to Paris, hoping to continue his university studies. He followed courses at the philosophy faculty of the Sorbonne and, in the Marxist environment of the French capital, he collaborated with “Humanité”, writing some articles on the situation in Albania.
Studies in France
Here he attended the lectures and conferences of the Workers’ Association organized by the French Communist Party. After a year, not having much interest in biology, he left Montepellier to go to Paris, hoping to continue his university studies. He followed courses at the philosophy faculty of the Sorbonne and, in the Marxist environment of the French capital, he collaborated with “Humanité”, writing some articles on the situation in Albania.
Studies in Bruxelles
Here he had the opportunity to study Marx’s “Das Kapital” and Engels’ “Anti-Dühring”. For these reasons, in November 1933 he was denied a scholarship by Zog’s government. For economic reasons and with the help of some Albanian friends he went to Brussels, where he found a job in the Albanian consulate. He attended university courses at the faculty of law; here he expanded and enriched his knowledge of Marxist-Leninist literature.
Studies in Brussels
Here he had the opportunity to study Marx’s “Das Kapital” and Engels’ “Anti-Dühring”. For these reasons, in November 1933 he was denied a scholarship by Zog’s government. For economic reasons and with the help of some Albanian friends he went to Brussels, where he found a job in the Albanian consulate. He attended university courses at the faculty of law; here he expanded and enriched his knowledge of Marxist-Leninist literature.
Return to Albania by Enver Hoxha
Once again he was fired, because the consul discovered through Zog’s agents that his employee had deposited revolutionary materials and books in his office. At that time he studied in France and worked in Belgium, also attending the University of Brussels. Being without work and without money, he was unable to finish his university studies, so Enver Hoxha returned permanently to Albania in the summer of 1936. He spent a short time in his hometown, came into contact with Albanian communists and in July 1936 met Ali Kelmendi, an Albanian communist. He had contacts with the communist group of Korca, which was the most solid and organized of the movement. He returned to Korca as a teacher in the French high school.
Return to Albania by Enver Hoxha
Once again he was fired, because the consul discovered through Zog’s agents that his employee had deposited revolutionary materials and books in his office. At that time he studied in France and worked in Belgium, also attending the University of Brussels. Being without work and without money, he was unable to finish his university studies, so Enver Hoxha returned permanently to Albania in the summer of 1936. He spent a short time in his hometown, came into contact with Albanian communists and in July 1936 met Ali Kelmendi, an Albanian communist. He had contacts with the communist group of Korca, which was the most solid and organized of the movement. He returned to Korca as a teacher in the French high school.
Italian Invasion
On 7 April 1939 Italy occupied Albania. For his openly revolutionary and anti-fascist ideas he was fired. He left Korca and went to Tirana, the Albanian capital, on 29 November 1939. Here he worked part-time for a short time as a teacher in the government primary school where he was fired again because he was now known as a communist. With the help of some friends he opened a small shop, which became a cover for his clandestine activity. He came into contact with many members of the various communist groups, that of Scutari, that of the youth of Korca, etc.
Italian invasion
On 7 April 1939 Italy occupied Albania. For his openly revolutionary and anti-fascist ideas he was fired. He left Korca and went to Tirana, the Albanian capital, on 29 November 1939. Here he worked part-time for a short time as a teacher in the government primary school where he was fired again because he was now known as a communist. With the help of some friends he opened a small shop, which became a cover for his clandestine activity. He came into contact with many members of the various communist groups, that of Scutari, that of the youth of Korca, etc.
Birth of the Communist Party
In collaboration with the communist activists of these groups he actively worked for the unification of the scattered communist movement, with the firm intention of creating a single communist party. On November 8, 1941, the Communist Party of Albania was founded and Enver Hoxha, who had played an important and decisive role, was chosen among the 7 members of the provisional Central Committee. According to the decision of the assembly, no one was chosen secretary or president. Enver Hoxha soon proved himself to be the true leader of the party. He carried out intense activity for the organization of the party in Tirana and in the various cities and regions of Albania.
Birth of the Communist Party
In collaboration with the communist activists of these groups he actively worked for the unification of the scattered communist movement, with the firm intention of creating a single communist party. On November 8, 1941, the Communist Party of Albania was founded and Enver Hoxha, who had played an important and decisive role, was chosen among the 7 members of the provisional Central Committee. According to the decision of the assembly, no one was chosen secretary or president. Enver Hoxha soon proved himself to be the true leader of the party. He carried out intense activity for the organization of the party in Tirana and in the various cities and regions of Albania.
Resistance and Liberation
He was the main inspirer of the political life of the party, which consisted in organizing the armed struggle through a united front of all forces, regardless of their political and ideological orientation. In September 1942 the National Liberation Front was formed at the Pesa Conference. Sentenced to death in absentia by a fascist court, Enver Hoxha lived and worked illegally in Tirana and in various regions of the country. In March 1943 the first National Conference of the CPA formally elected him General Secretary of the Party, a position he held until his death. He founded the National Liberation Army which, in the spring of 1944, numbered around 70 thousand men. Enver Hoxha’s role as a political and military figure was very important and perhaps fundamental.
Post-Liberation Government
The role that Enver Hoxha played in the organization of the new political system was also fundamental. Aware of the fact that post-war Albania could no longer be a feudal dominion of the bourgeoisie, nor a colony of the imperialist powers, Enver Hoxha inspired the creation of embryos of the new political power in the party: the National Liberation Councils. In May 1944 the Permet Anti-Fascist Congress chose Enver Hoxha as president of the National Anti-Fascist Liberation Committee, which was at that time the only legislative body of the Albanian State, with the attributes of a provisional government, and commander in chief of the army. After 4 months, in view of the next liberation of the country, the Committee was transformed into a provisional democratic government and Enver Hoxha became the first head of government of the new Albania.
Post-Liberation Government
The role that Enver Hoxha played in the organization of the new political system was also fundamental. Aware of the fact that post-war Albania could no longer be a feudal dominion of the bourgeoisie, nor a colony of the imperialist powers, Enver Hoxha inspired the creation of embryos of the new political power in the party: the National Liberation Councils. In May 1944 the Permet Anti-Fascist Congress chose Enver Hoxha as president of the National Anti-Fascist Liberation Committee, which was at that time the only legislative body of the Albanian State, with the attributes of a provisional government, and commander in chief of the army. After 4 months, in view of the next liberation of the country, the Committee was transformed into a provisional democratic government and Enver Hoxha became the first head of government of the new Albania.
People's Republic of Enver Hoxha
After the liberation, which was the exclusive conquest of the Albanian Liberation Army itself, Enver Hoxha began a new phase in the struggle for Albania to rise again on the path of socialism. In March 1946 the Constituent Assembly, chosen in the elections of December 1945, proclaimed Albania a People’s Republic and appointed Enver Hoxha Prime Minister, a position he held until 1954. In August of the same year Enver Hoxha participated in the Peace Conference of Paris as head of the Albanian delegation, brilliantly defending the right of his people to be considered members of the anti-fascist coalition, opposing the territorial claims of Greece.
Resistance against Tito
The period 1947-1948 was marked by Enver Hoxha’s firm and determined attitude in preventing the realization of Tito’s intentions: to transform Albania into a Yugoslav republic. Enver Hoxha’s distrust of Yugoslav leaders and Tito originated during the war and developed in the postwar period. As relations between the two states grew, so did Enver Hoxha’s doubts about the real policies of Yugoslavia. These doubts were fueled by the way economic relations between the two countries were conducted and by Yugoslavia’s increasingly strong tendency to make Albania a satellite state. Above all, the national problem, with the lack of self-determination for Kosovo promised by Tito and never realised, fueled Enver Hoxha’s doubts about the Yugoslav leaders.
Resistance against Tito
The period 1947-1948 was marked by Enver Hoxha’s firm and determined attitude in preventing the realization of Tito’s intentions: to transform Albania into a Yugoslav republic. Enver Hoxha’s distrust of Yugoslav leaders and Tito originated during the war and developed in the postwar period. As relations between the two states grew, so did Enver Hoxha’s doubts about the real policies of Yugoslavia. These doubts were fueled by the way economic relations between the two countries were conducted and by Yugoslavia’s increasingly strong tendency to make Albania a satellite state. Above all, the national problem, with the lack of self-determination for Kosovo promised by Tito and never realised, fueled Enver Hoxha’s doubts about the Yugoslav leaders.
Economic and Social Development
The 1950s were the years of the first, most difficult steps for Albania towards economic, social and cultural development. To correctly and objectively evaluate this experience of almost fifty years, to understand the vastness of the political, economic, social and cultural transformation that took place, it is necessary to take into account the enormous backwardness that Albania had inherited from the past. A country with a completely agricultural economy, with primitive agriculture marked by feudal economic relations, almost totally devoid of industry, with a very low level of education: 80-85% of the population was illiterate; a life expectancy that did not reach 40 years; this was Albania before the war. To all this must be added the human victims, 28 thousand killed out of 800 thousand inhabitants and the destruction of the war.
Labor Policy
Enver Hoxha, as leader of the CPA and as head of government, played an important role in what proved to be an even bloodier struggle than the war, for the rebirth of Albania. The policy of the Labor Party – so called after the first congress in November 1948 – had three fundamental orientations: industrialisation, the development of agriculture through the formation of cooperatives and a program for the development of education and culture. Enver Hoxha was the inspirer and author of the work that was done in those years, as leader of the Labor Party. With great sacrifices, with enormous popular enthusiasm and also with the help of socialist countries – the Soviet Union in the 1950s and for a certain period later also China – Albania was transformed into an advanced country, very far from level inherited from the past, and this was already excellent progress.
Labor Policy
Enver Hoxha, as leader of the CPA and as head of government, played an important role in what proved to be an even bloodier struggle than the war, for the rebirth of Albania. The policy of the Labor Party – so called after the first congress in November 1948 – had three fundamental orientations: industrialisation, the development of agriculture through the formation of cooperatives and a program for the development of education and culture. Enver Hoxha was the inspirer and author of the work that was done in those years, as leader of the Labor Party. With great sacrifices, with enormous popular enthusiasm and also with the help of socialist countries – the Soviet Union in the 1950s and for a certain period later also China – Albania was transformed into an advanced country, very far from level inherited from the past, and this was already excellent progress.
Renewal of the country
Large industrial complexes, thermoelectric and hydroelectric power plants were built, swamps, embankments and rivers were reclaimed, completely new cities were built from scratch. A widespread system of elementary and middle schools was developed that ensured education for all children; the entire country was electrified. Enver Hoxha knew very well that Albania was not heaven on earth, that it was still very far from the most advanced countries of Europe.
Break with the USSR
The last fifty years were marked by growing differences with Soviet leaders. The Party of Labor of Albania and Enver Hoxha personally had many reservations about the new course officially applied by Khrushchev after the XX Congress of the CPSU. For Enver Hoxha there was not only the question of Stalin, but above all the policy towards the USA and world imperialism, and even more so the hegemonic tendencies of the new USSR, towards the socialist countries. Enver Hoxha, in the contacts he had with Khrushchev, expressed his reservations on several occasions: in Moscow in December 1956, in April 1957, in January 1960 and also in Tirana in May 1959. Upon his arrival at the Conference of 81 fraternal parties held in Moscow on 16 November 1960, Enver Hoxha made public his reservations and accusations regarding the new Soviet course in a courageous speech. This act also marked the official break between Albania and the USSR.
Break with the USSR
The last fifty years were marked by growing differences with Soviet leaders. The Party of Labor of Albania and Enver Hoxha personally had many reservations about the new course officially applied by Khrushchev after the XX Congress of the CPSU. For Enver Hoxha there was not only the question of Stalin, but above all the policy towards the USA and world imperialism, and even more so the hegemonic tendencies of the new USSR, towards the socialist countries. Enver Hoxha, in the contacts he had with Khrushchev, expressed his reservations on several occasions: in Moscow in December 1956, in April 1957, in January 1960 and also in Tirana in May 1959. Upon his arrival at the Conference of 81 fraternal parties held in Moscow on 16 November 1960, Enver Hoxha made public his reservations and accusations regarding the new Soviet course in a courageous speech. This act also marked the official break between Albania and the USSR.
Fight against Revisionism
From that moment on, Enver Hoxha, supported for a short period of time by the Chinese, became the only heroic fighter against modern revisionism. Throughout his life he defended the theory and principles he believed in, Marxism-Leninism. He rejected any deviation from the revolutionary spirit of this theory. Yugoslavian, Soviet, Chinese, Eurocommunist, all were for him the Trojan horse in the international communist and workers’ movement. Enver Hoxha wanted to defend the victories of socialism in Albania and the country’s independence itself. In the 1970s new fronts of struggle opened up, all those within the Party and the State who were against socialism were exposed.
Decline in Health
Enver Hoxha suffered a heart attack in 1973 and, although he managed to recover quite well, he could no longer dedicate the utmost of his being to this new struggle. In fact, from that moment on Enver Hoxha’s activity in the Party and in the State increasingly tended to decline. The enemies infiltrated into the Party and the State began the work of methodical and systematic destruction of everything that had been achieved on the path to socialism in Albania. From the late 1970s and early 1980s Enver Hoxha began a period of intense theoretical activity.
Decline in Health
Enver Hoxha suffered a heart attack in 1973 and, although he managed to recover quite well, he could no longer dedicate the utmost of his being to this new struggle. In fact, from that moment on Enver Hoxha’s activity in the Party and in the State increasingly tended to decline. The enemies infiltrated into the Party and the State began the work of methodical and systematic destruction of everything that had been achieved on the path to socialism in Albania. From the late 1970s and early 1980s Enver Hoxha began a period of intense theoretical activity.
Intense Theoretical Production
All his experience, his entire life, from activist to communist leader, is contained in the various volumes he wrote. Among these:
Yugoslav “Self-Management” – A Capitalist Theory and Practice (1978) –
Imperialism and Revolution (1978) –
Reflections on China (1979) –
With Stalin (1979) –
Eurocommunism is anti-communism (1980) –
The Khrushchevites (1980) –
The Anglo-American threat to Albania (1982) –
The Titoites (1982) –
Reflections on the Middle East (1984) –
Laying the Foundations of New Albania (1984) –
Two Friendly Peoples (1985) –
The Superpowers (1985) –
The death of Enver Hoxha
Negli anni ’80 lo stato di salute di Enver Hoxha peggiorò, soffrì di diabete e nel 1983 fu colpito da un’ischemia cerebrale, e di nuovo nel 1984. Il 9 aprile 1985, subì un arresto cardiaco; i medici riuscirono a rianimarlo, ma fu privato della coscienza. L’11 aprile 1985 morì Enver Hoxha. La sua morte fu sentita dal popolo come una grande perdita. Ci fu un dolore sincero e sentito a livello nazionale. Il popolo albanese lo amava e lo adorava.
The death of Enver Hoxha
In the 1980s Enver Hoxha’s health worsened, he suffered from diabetes and in 1983 he suffered from cerebral ischemia, and again in 1984. On April 9, 1985, he suffered a cardiac arrest; doctors managed to revive him, but he was deprived of consciousness. Enver Hoxha died on April 11, 1985. His death was felt by the people as a great loss. There was genuine, heartfelt grief nationwide. The Albanian people loved and adored him.