When you think of North Korea, isolation, rigid control, and extreme dictatorship come to mind. But did you know that there’s a European counterpart that once held these same infamous traits? The country? Albania. This small Balkan nation earned the title “Europe’s North Korea” during the decades of harsh communist rule under Enver Hoxha. Let’s dive into this fascinating yet dark chapter of history, one marked by extreme paranoia, control, and oppression, all unfolding in the heart of Europe.

Why is Albania Europe’s North Korea?

Albania, a mountainous country with a long coastline on the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, shares many similarities with North Korea. Its journey into isolation began after World War II when Enver Hoxha rose to power. Under his strict Stalinist regime, Albania became one of the most secluded countries in the world. Hoxha’s Albania cut ties with the Soviet Union, China, and every other Communist nation, believing Albania was the last true defender of Marxism.

His obsessive need to shield the country from outside influences led to a poverty-stricken, backward Albania, where modernization was not even on the radar. It was a land locked in time, much like North Korea, where life revolved around propaganda, control, and fear.

Enver Hoxha’s Rise to Power

The story of Enver Hoxha’s rise to power is one of unpredictability. When Germany retreated from Albania in 1944, the country was left fragmented, with various factions vying for control. Among these was the Communist-controlled National Liberation Army (NLA), led by none other than Hoxha. Despite his relatively unknown background and lack of charisma, Hoxha found himself in the right place at the right time, securing a stronghold over Albania.

Once in power, Hoxha revealed his ruthless side, purging anyone who posed a threat, even close allies and childhood friends. His jealousy and paranoia drove him to extreme lengths to maintain control, executing or imprisoning those he considered disloyal. One of the most infamous cases was the death of Llazar Fundo, a fellow communist leader who Hoxha had tortured to death for being “inconvenient.”

Hoxha’s Brutal Methods

As his dictatorship solidified, Hoxha used increasingly brutal methods to maintain his grip on the country. A key example is the fate of Mehmet Shehu, Hoxha’s closest ally and presumed successor. When Shehu’s son got engaged to a woman with anti-communist connections, Hoxha forced Shehu into a humiliating self-criticism session, which eventually led to Shehu’s suicide. Shehu’s death, which many believed Hoxha orchestrated, sent a clear message: no one was safe from the dictator’s wrath.

Hoxha’s regime was notorious for fostering a culture of betrayal, much like North Korea under Kim Il Sung. This paranoia extended to high-ranking officials who intermarried, forming tight-knit circles where loyalty was often questioned, and betrayal came easy.

Albania’s Isolation the Bunkers of Paranoia

One of the most defining features of Hoxha’s rule was his belief that Albania was under constant threat of invasion. This paranoia led to the construction of 170,000 bunkers across the country between 1975 and 1985. These concrete bunkers, built at great expense, were intended to protect Albania from its enemies—enemies that largely existed only in Hoxha’s mind.

The money funneled into this massive construction project could have been used to alleviate the extreme poverty facing ordinary Albanians. Instead, the regime chose to spend 9.6% to 11.4% of the national budget on national defense, further deepening the country’s hardship.

Life Inside the Bllok

While ordinary Albanians struggled with poverty, overcrowded living conditions, and outdated technology, a secretive area in the capital, Tirana, offered a stark contrast. Known as the Bllok, this enclave was reserved exclusively for the ruling elite, providing them with luxury apartments, private clinics, and even foreign films that were banned for the general population.

Hoxha himself’s power is both mysterious and unexpected. During World War II, Albania was invaded by Italy in 1939, followed by German occupation. As the war drew to an end in 1944, the country was left divided and in disarray. Amid this chaos, a little-known figure, Enver Hoxha, emerged as the leader of the Party of Labour of Albania (PLA), surprising many with his sudden rise.

Historians are still baffled by how Hoxha, a man of relatively average intelligence and limited influence, managed to seize control. His rise was not due to brilliance but rather being in the right place at the right time. His few key allies and ruthless determination allowed him to become Albania’s de facto ruler. By 1944, at just 34 years old, Hoxha led the communist-controlled National Liberation Army, marking the start of his authoritarian reign.

The Start of Albania’s Oppression

Once in power, Hoxha’s paranoia took center stage. Obsessed with securing his rule, he began ruthlessly purging political opponents and even old allies. In a bid to eliminate anyone who could challenge him, he ordered brutal crackdowns, torture, and executions. One of the first notable victims of Hoxha’s rule was Llazar Fundo, a successful communist envoy who was tortured to death simply because of his achievements and personal insult to Hoxha.

Hoxha’s jealousy and paranoia ran so deep that even his closest friends and allies were not safe. He sought to eliminate any perceived threats, creating an atmosphere of fear that gripped the entire country. Over his 41-year rule, Hoxha became notorious for executing founding party members and childhood friends if he suspected any form of disloyalty.

The Tragic Death of Mehmet Shehu

Even Hoxha’s most loyal ally, Mehmet Shehu, could not escape his wrath. Shehu, once seen as Hoxha’s successor, died under mysterious circumstances in 1981. Officially declared a suicide, many believed that Hoxha played a role in his death. Hoxha accused Shehu of being a lifelong traitor, supposedly working as a double agent for both the Soviets and the Americans.

The real reason behind Shehu’s downfall? His son’s engagement to a woman with anti-communist relatives in America, a connection Hoxha found unacceptable. In a humiliating show of power, Hoxha forced Shehu into a self-criticism session before the Politburo, driving him to the brink of despair. Shehu’s tragic death served as a stark reminder that in Hoxha’s Albania, no one was above suspicion.

Hoxha’s Death and Albania’s Awakening

When Enver Hoxha died in 1985, Albania was plunged into a state of mourning, much like North Korea after the death of Kim Il Sung. The carefully crafted personality cult surrounding Hoxha had made him a god-like figure, and his death seemed to symbolize the collapse of the nation itself. For many Albanians, however, the mourning was forced, a display of loyalty to survive in the oppressive regime.

Hoxha had spent decades writing his own legacy, making sure he would be remembered as the savior of Albania. Yet, his death signaled the beginning of the end for the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania. Without his iron grip, the regime quickly faltered, and the country began to slowly open up to the outside world.

The Lessons from Albania’s Dark Past

Albania’s journey under Enver Hoxha is a sobering reminder of the dangers of isolation, paranoia, and absolute power. For over four decades, the country was suffocated under the weight of fear and propaganda, cut off from the world and deprived of progress. While Albania has since moved away from its dark past, the scars left by Hoxha’s regime are still felt today.

Understanding this period in history is crucial in recognizing how deeply a dictator’s decisions can impact a nation’s future. Albania’s transformation from isolation to openness serves as a powerful lesson on the importance of freedom, connection, and progress.

So, which hidden chapter of history do you want to explore next? Let us know, and until next time, stay curious!