ROLI I SHBA-SË NË RINJOHJEN E SHTETIT SHQIPTAR PAS LUFTËS SË PARË BOTËRORE
THE ROLE OF THE USA IN THE REESTABLISHMENT OF THE ALBANIAN STATE AFTER WORLD WAR I

Summary/Abstract: The period from December 1918 to July 1922, marked by the redefinition of Albania's state status and borders (November 9, 1921) and the completion of international recognitions (July 28, 1922), is characterized as the era of independence and the Second State Formation of Albania in the Modern Era. This documentary review and analysis of events uncovered through archival research provide new insights into the Reestablishment of the State and its second international recognition. The dynamics of the shift in the American government's official stance have not been thoroughly studied or documented before. The author traces the history of the evolving American stance on the rights of the Albanian people, influenced by several factors: the degree to which President Wilson's rationalist and realistic New Diplomacy principles were implemented, pro-Albanian lobbying efforts, the Albanian elite diaspora in the USA and Europe, interventions by the Holy See in support of Albanian rights in Northern Epirus/Southern Albania, and more. Although the Albanian issue was not resolved at the Paris Peace Conference, Albania was not divided during this conference. In this initial victory (1919-1920), the USA played a decisive role, effectively replacing the role previously held by the now-disintegrated Austro-Hungarian Empire. Despite the ambitions of Italian politicians, Italy's military occupation of Albania persisted until August 1920, when Albanians successfully resisted and expelled them. Following these events and the Preliminary Protocol of August 2, 1920, Italy, under Prime Minister Giolitti's different policies, withdrew militarily from Albania and began a gradual and successful policy of economic and political penetration. Meanwhile, Yugoslavia made significant military incursions and held a strip of land up to 15 km inside Albania until early 1922. Greek troops also occupied several villages in the former Kaza of Koritza. The end of 1920 and 1921 was a turning point for Albania. The USA, gradually joined by Great Britain, defended Albania's rights. Albania was admitted to the League of Nations on December 17, 1920, and on November 9, 1921, its state status and borders were internationally recognized, leading to gradual international recognitions. The departure from the Old Diplomatic course followed by France and Italy, with initial British indifference, resulted from the decisive and principled stances of American diplomacy. This intervention, documented through archival research, is the focus of the author's study. The final part of the article discusses the official recognition and establishment of diplomatic relations between Albania and the USA. The research draws on archival sources from two main archives in the United Kingdom and the USA, as well as published archival documents between the two countries, some of which are presented to the public for the first time.

• Details
• Contents