Albanian Peasant's Revolt

Quick Facts: Who was Albanian Peasant's Revolt?

Subject:

Albanian Peasant's Revolt

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A major 1914 uprising in central Albania demanding a return to Ottoman suzerainty.

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Origins & Early Life

During the collapse of the Principality of Albania that began in 1914, there were two pro-Ottoman revolts by Albanian Muslim insurgents. The first revolt was the Peasant Revolt, also known as the Central Albania Uprising (Albanian: Kryengritja e Shqipërisë së Mesme), which was an uprising of peasants from central Albania against the regime of Wilhelm, Prince of Albania from May to September 1914. It was one of the reasons for the prince's withdrawal from the country which marked the fall of the Principality of Albania. The uprising was led by Haxhi Qamili, Arif Hiqmeti, Musa Qazimi and Mustafa Ndroqi. Along with a demand of total amnesty, the rebels sought the return of Albania to the suzerainty of the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire.

Career & Major Achievements

The rebellion was only tacitly supported by the Ottomans, who as a consequence of the Balkan Wars, were physically separated from the Albanian lands. The Ottoman preoccupation with the looming First World War also rendered diplomatic and material support impractical. Ultimately, the rebels achieved victory with Prince Wilhelm's departure and consolidated control over central Albania, establishing a new regime known as the Senate of Central Albania. The second revolt began in Krujë in November 1914, after the Ottoman Empire's declaration of war and declaration of jihad against the Entente, which pitted the pro-Ottoman masses against Essad Toptani, the leader of the Senate of Central Albania. The revolt was led by a group called the "Union of Krujë".

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Despite their initial successes, an intervention by Toptani's ally Serbia led to the crushing of the revolt in June 1915. A plot by the Young Turk government led by Bekir Fikri to restore Ottoman control over Albania through the installment of an Ottoman-Albanian officer, Ahmed Izzet Pasha, as monarch was uncovered by the Serbs and reported to the ICC. Ismail Qemali supported the plot for military assistance against Serbia and Greece. The ICC allowed their Dutch officers serving as the Albanian Gendarmerie to declare a state of emergency and stop the plot. They raided Vlorë discovering more than 200 Ottoman troops and arrested Fikri.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1914: 1914 Milestone — During the collapse of the Principality of Albania that began in 1914, there were two pro-Ottoman revolts by Albanian Muslim insurgents.
2. 1915: 1915 Milestone — Despite their initial successes, an intervention by Toptani's ally Serbia led to the crushing of the revolt in June 1915.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Albanian Peasant's Revolt

True or False: “The Peasant Revolt was primarily an anti-Ottoman movement seeking Albanian independence from foreign powers.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The revolt was explicitly pro-Ottoman, with rebels demanding the return of Albania to the suzerainty of the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Abdul-Karim Qasim — Historical peer (Born in 1914) (1914): Iraqi military officer who led the country as Prime Minister from 1958 to 1963.
• Adolph Green — Historical peer (Born in 1914) (1914): American lyricist and playwright known for his long-running, witty partnership with Betty Comden.
• A. A. K. Niazi — Historical peer (Born in 1915) (1915): Pakistani general who commanded Eastern Command during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War.
• Abba Eban — Historical peer (Born in 1915) (1915): Israeli diplomat, politician, and scholar of Arabic and Hebrew languages.

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