Paper Summary
Share...

Direct link:

Struggling with Empire and Independence: Albanians and Hyphenated Identities

Sun, November 12, 12:00 to 1:45pm, Marriott Downtown Chicago, Floor: 2nd, Streeterville

Abstract

The “Albanian” subjects of the Ottoman Empire had a complex relationship with Istanbul. Many Albanians were Muslims and thoroughly integrated into the administrative structure of the Ottoman Empire, but in the last decade of the Empire, many oscillated from an autonomist perspective to secessionist independence. Albanians, in the late Ottoman period, had an amalgamation of identities, conflicting loyalties and an ever changing flow of identification shifts, which resulted in a frequent change in their stance towards the Ottoman state. This situation was further exacerbated when Albanians found themselves independent and located in several of the Ottoman Empire’s successor states, Greece, Serbia, and Montenegro. This paper will show that other identities and categories were available to “Albanians” throughout the late 19th and 20th centuries. Indeed, many if not, most Albanians had hyphenated senses of self until the middle of the 20th century. Because of this malleability, Albanians who were frustrated with the status quo in the Ottoman Empire aired their discontent in numerous ways. These hyphenated senses of self continued after independence. Albanian’s relationship with the Ottoman Empire and the Balkan States remained ambiguous and Albania’s international status was unclear. These factors inhibited Albania’s transition to an independent state. Moreover, these hyphenated loyalties caused significant social and political tension in the aftermath of independence and continued well into the late 1920’s.

Author