After World War II

During World War II Albanian partisans opposing Italian and German occupation came under control of the Communists. When the country was liberated in 1944, the Communists seized power, and in 1946 Albania declared itself a people's republic. Enver Hoxha, first secretary of the Communist party politburo, became the first premier and soon assumed dictatorial powers. Albanian Communists grew displeased with the Soviet Union, and in the 1960's the country became aligned with China. In 1968 Albania withdrew from the Warsaw Pact and isolated itself from all Western nations. In the 1970's, because of political differences, Albania's alliance with China was ended.

In the early 1980's, Albania began to trade with several countries of Western Europe. Hoxha died in 1985 and was replaced by Ramiz Alia, who in 1990 instituted a domestic reform program that established basic human rights. During 1990–91, Albania began to restore diplomatic relations with the West. In 1991 the Communists won the country's first multiparty elections in more than 65 years. Shortly afterward a democratic constitution was adopted. Later that year, a nationwide strike forced the Communist-led government to resign and an interim government was formed. In 1992 elections the Communists lost their majority in the People's Assembly. Antigovernment rioting broke out throughout the country in 1997, in part because of dissatisfaction with the government in dealing with the collapse of investment schemes to which a large number of citizens had contributed money.

Roughly half a million Albanian refugees left the Yugoslav province of Kosovo in an attempt to escape attacks by Serbian forces in 1998 and 1999. The refugees entered Albania and were housed for several months by international organizations.

President Meidani signed Albania's new constitution into law in November, 1998. In 2002, parliament, controlled by The Socialist Party, chose Alfred Moisiu as the new president.