Expulsion of Soviets from AlbaniaThe expulsion of Soviets from Albania was an anti-Soviet campaign carried out by the Albanian communist 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 state in Albania. The expulsion began from 1961 and continued until 1964.[1]
BackgroundAfter 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] Hoxha was a staunch anti-revisionist, strongly aligned with Marxist-Leninist principles as advanced by Stalin. After Nikina Khrushchev would go onto denounce Stalin's alleged cult of personality, a split occurred between the now "Hoxhaist" government of Albania and the anti-Stalin government of the Soviet Union, with Hoxha accusing Khrushchev of departing from Marxist-Leninist principles.[4] ExpulsionTensions 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 Albanian attack on the Soviet naval presence at the end of July 1961, Soviets were expelled from Vlora. Many Soviet sailors were killed during the attack and driven out of Albania.[6] When the Soviet Union under the leadership of Khruschev broke off diplomatic relations with Albania, all Soviet buildings and military bases or the Ambassador were confiscated by the Albanian government,[7][8] and all Soviets up to 1964 were then expelled from Albania.[9] References
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