Expulsion of Soviets from Albania
The expulsion of Soviets from Albania was an anti-Soviet campaign carried out by the Albanian leader Enver Hoxha. It was a significant event in the history of Albania and took place during the Cold War. This phase was characterized by tensions between the Soviet Union and the socialist regime in Albania. The expulsion began from 1961 and continued until 1964.[1]
Expulsion of Soviets from Albania | |
---|---|
Part of Vlora incident and the Albanian–Soviet split | |
Type | Expulsion by military force |
Location | |
Planned by | Albania |
Commanded by | Enver Hoxha (First Secretary of the Party of Labour of Albania) Mehmet Shehu (Prime Minister of Albania) Beqir Balluku (Minister of Defence of Albania) |
Target | Soviet Union
|
Date | 1961–1964 |
Executed by | Albanian People's Army |
Outcome | Albanian victory
|
Casualties | Several Soviet sailors were killed by the Albanian Armed Forces |
Background
After the end of World War II, Albania became a socialist state closely aligned with the Soviet leadership under Joseph Stalin. In the 1940s and 1950s, a close relationship developed between the Soviet Union and Albania, with the USSR providing economic, military, and political support.[2][3]
However, ideological differences between the two countries began to emerge in the subsequent years. Albanian leader Enver Hoxha was a staunch advocate of "Hoxhaism," a communist ideology heavily influenced by Stalinist principles but also claiming a certain degree of autonomy for Albania.
The Soviet Union under Nikita Khrushchev, however, took a political turn in the late 1950s, criticizing the cult of Stalin. This new Soviet policy was vehemently rejected by Hoxha and the Albanian government as they viewed it as "revisionism" and a departure from Marxist–Leninist principles.[4]
Expulsion
Tensions between the USSR and Albania escalated in the 1960s. Enver Hoxha and his party saw Soviet policy as a threat to their revolutionary principles and Albania's national sovereignty. In return, Soviet leaders such as Khrushchev openly criticized the Albanian government and its leader.[5]
During the
References
- OCLC 1107880381.)
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link - ^ Xhaferri, Manjola; Tase, Mirela (2022-12-06). "Analysis of Albania's diplomatic relations with the Soviet Union during the years 1948–1959". Analysis.
- ^ "Albania country profile". BBC News. 2012-04-11. Retrieved 2023-05-06.
- ^ "The Khruschevites". www.marxists.org. Retrieved 2023-05-06.
- S2CID 154923413.
- OCLC 1107880381.)
The expulsion was particularly unpleasant as the Albanians shot and killed several Soviet sailors and seized some Soviet Whiskey submarines.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link - ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-05-06.
- ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-05-06.
- OCLC 1107880381.)
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link