ALBANIANS IN THE FOREIGN POLICY OF AUSTRO-HUNGARY AT THE END OF THE WORLD WAR I (1916-1918)

This paper will be an attempt to show the way in which the autonomy announcement process of Albania progressed under the auspices of Austria-Hungary. Then to see whether the declaring of autonomy of Korca, the development of the war, not in favor of the Central Block and the reduction of the Austro-Hungarian influence on the Albanian people, the main premises that stirred much resentment in order for Austro-Hungary to take its decision leading to 23 January 1917 for a special announcement to put Albania under its protectorate. Also, it will highlight the movements of Austro-Hungarian army which conquered most of the territory, passing the Albanian border in pursuit of Serbian and Montenegrin army, to pass later in central and southwestern Albania.

A particular remainder of this paper will be the manner in which the Albanians accepted the presence of the Austro-Hungarian army in the Albanian territories, as well as what was the image of one to the other.  Also, what was the level of cooperation between Albanians and Austro-Hungarian administration and how did they practice their administration? To conclude with identifying inconsistent and frustrating points between the Austro-Hungarian administration in Albanian territories and the population which responded to the regime of the Austro-Hungarian military authorities.