Enver Hoxha (1908–1985) was an Albanian communist leader who ruled Albania from 1944 until his death in 1985. He served as the First Secretary of the Party of Labor of Albania (the Albanian Communist Party) and played a pivotal role in establishing Albania as a Stalinist state. His rule was marked by strict authoritarianism, isolationism, and a rigid adherence to Marxism-Leninism.

Early Life and Rise to Power

Hoxha was born in Gjirokastër, Albania, then part of the Ottoman Empire. He studied in France for a time but returned to Albania as a teacher before becoming involved in communist activities. During World War II, Hoxha became a leading figure in the resistance movement against fascist Italian and Nazi German occupiers. After the war, his Partisans, backed by the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia, established control, and Hoxha emerged as the head of state.

Establishment of a Stalinist Regime

Hoxha's regime was characterized by its strict adherence to Stalinism, even after other communist states began to liberalize following Stalin's death. Albania became one of the most isolated countries in the world under Hoxha's leadership. He nationalized industry, collectivized agriculture, and implemented widespread purges to eliminate any perceived political rivals or ideological opponents. He broke ties with Yugoslavia after the Tito-Stalin split, severed relations with the Soviet Union in 1961 after de-Stalinization under Nikita Khrushchev, and later broke with China following Mao's death, rejecting any deviation from Stalinist principles.

Extreme Isolationism and Domestic Policies

Albania became one of the most isolated countries during Hoxha's rule. He constructed thousands of concrete bunkers across the country, fearing foreign invasion. The regime harshly repressed dissent, and the secret police (Sigurimi) were notorious for their surveillance and repression. Hoxha promoted Albania as the last bastion of true Marxism-Leninism, severing ties with both the Eastern and Western blocs. His cultural policies also banned religion in 1967, making Albania the world's first officially atheist state.

Legacy and Impact

Hoxha's rule left Albania economically underdeveloped and politically isolated. After his death in 1985, his successor, Ramiz Alia, attempted some reforms, but Albania remained a tightly controlled, closed society until the fall of communism in 1991. Hoxha remains a controversial figure, remembered for both his firm resistance to foreign influence and his oppressive rule that left deep scars on the Albanian people.