World War One, 1914-1918, occurred between the three-partyAlliance Germany and Austro-Hungary and the Antanta's powers,England, France nand Russia. The Albanian state did not take part in this war, but it had grave economic consequences for thecountry. This endangered the existence of the Albanian nationalstate. Both fighting blocs used Albanian territories andtransformed them in 1916 into battlefields where Austro-Hungarian and Bulgarian troops were deployed while they were advancing inthe war against Serb-Montenegrins and Italian forces in retreat.With the approval of both Powers in 1914, Greece invaded Southern Albania, Italy invaded Vlora, whereas in 1915, Antanta's Powerssigned with Italy the secret London treaty.

London Secret Treaty signed betwen Antanta's powers and Italy in1915. Referring to point 5 of this treaty, the Albanian coastline from Buna's outfall in North, to Drini's outfall in Southincluding Shengjin, would go to Serbia and Montenegro, referringto point 6 Vlora and Sazan island would go to Italy. Referring to point 7, Italy was not obliged to go against the eventual wish of France, England and Russia that the southern and northern partsof Albania be devided among Montenegro, Serbia and Greece,whereas the autonomous Albanian state be founded in CentralAlbania, under Italy's protectorate. This treaty was rejected byLushnja Congress in 1920.

The Peace Conference 1919-1920 was organized by World War Iwinning countries to dictate to the defeated states the peace conditions to redivide colonies and the spheres of influence. Even though Albania adopted a neutral stand regarding this world conflict, the Conference planned its division. It considered the claims of the three neighbouring monarchies which won against our country, Italy, Greece and Yugoslavia and not the demands ofAlbanian delegation to protect the independence and territorial integrity of the Albanian state, to reconsider the borders in its favour and to include withim them those Albanian territories that were separated.

The Lushnja Congress was held on January 28-31, 1920. A national congress, attended by 50 independent representatives, which turned down the anti-Albanian plans of the Peace Conference and declared the defence at any cost of the territorial integrity oft he Albanian state and for the complete independence of Albania. Along with the plans of the peace conference, this congress alsorefuted the decision of the Ambassadors Conference in 1913 which had placed the Albanian state under the collective control of the big European powers.

The World War 2, 1939-1945 burst from three states, Germany, Italy and Japan. During this war, Germany and Italy invaded a number of West European countries, the Balkans and in June 1941,Germany occupied the Soviet Union as well. The Albanian people too, with their National Liberation Army consisting of up to 70thousand people, also took part in the war alongside theantifascist coalition. The World War Two ended with the victory of the antifascist coalition. The triumph over fascism in Albania led to the creation of the People's Republic of Albania.

The Antifascist National Liberation War of the Albanian peoplestarted with the people's resistance against fascist aggression on April 7, 1939 and ended on November 29, 1944. During theantifascist national liberation war, the Albanian people fought against Italy and Germany, which occupied our country one afterthe other. In 1939-1941 period, the antifascist resistance wasled by communist groups and later by the Communist Party.

Albanian constitution is first endorsed in the People's Assembly, and afterwards it is known on November 28, 1998 by the President of Albania's Republic.

The ancient name of Albanians was Arber and their living placewas called Arberi. This denomination dates back to the secondsentury mentioned by the Greek geographer Ptolemy.In the Middle Ages the version Arban was also known, whichwas the Albanian ethnic name at that time. This is proved by thefact that Albanians who emigrated to Greece (14th century)maintained this name in the form of "arvanit", whereas those whoemigrated to Italy (15-16th century) and to Dalmatia (18thcentury) maintained it in the form of "arberesh"

The Albanian territory was inhabited since ancient times.Traces of the the old stone era (late and middle Paleolithicperiod, 100 000-10 000 years ago) have been discovered in theXare and in the cave of Saint Marine in Sarande.

The era of the new stone (Neolithic period 6 000-2 000B.C.) is testified by a range of habitations of the old Neolithic period (Vlushe in Skrapar, Blazen in mat, Podgori and Vashtemi in in Korce, middle Neolithic period (Cakran in Mallkaster, Dunavecin Korce, Kolsh in Kukes) and of the late Neolithic period,(Maliq in Korce, Kamnik ne Kolonje).Albanians are descendants of Illyrians. Illyria was founded as an autochthonous ethnos deriving from the ancient population which may be identified with Pelasgians who came over from the Balkans peninsula by the end of neolithic period and the beginning of Bronze Era (end of 3rd millenium B.C.) and united with the Indo-european population.The ethnic features of the new population born due to their symbioses and union are formed during the middle Broze period.The special Illyrian tribes, payones and thesprotes, arementioned in the poems "Iliade" and "Odysseus".

The authentic Illyrian cities were foundedin 4-5th centuryB.C.. They stretched not only along the coast but deeper intoland too. It is mentioned here Scodra, (Shkodra), Lisi (Lezha),Bylis, Amantia, Antipatrea (Berati), Antigonea etc. Archeologicexcavations prove that in 4th century B.C. in Illyria started theurbanization and in 3th century B.C. this process saw the flourishing period.More than seventy Illyrian cities were razed to the groundin 2nd century B.C. when Romans invaded Illyria.

The 2nd century up to early Middle Age A.D. marks a growthin the number of cities. new cities were founded such asGjirokastra, Kruja, Dibra, Saranda.

Art in Illyria started developing in 7th B.C. - 6th A.D.century. the main centers were Illyrian cities of Bylis, Amantia, Foinike, Butrot as well as the Helenic settlements Durrahu,Apolonia, Oriku.Works of archaic art and ancient classic art are bronzeheads of Apolon from Vlore, Menada of Tetovo, dancer of Selce.Illyrian art assumed clear features in 4th century B.C.preserving them until 1st century A.D. during which the sculpture was the prevailing form.

Albanopoli, Illyrian city, center of albans tribe, ismentioned for the first time by Ptolemy in the middle of 2ndcentury A.D. He gives the geographical coordinates of the Albans' land respectively 46 degrees and 41 degrees 5'. It is thought itwas situated where now lay the ruins of Illyrian city ofZgerdhesh. Its name means the city of Albans.

The ancient Byzantine culture in Albania spread among richurban classes without changing the traditional Illyrian cultureof the low class. The characteristics of this culture are thedevelopment of former Illyrian cities, part of which weretransformed into bishopric centers, the paleochristian buildingsof cult, basilicas, baptistery, etc. whose ruins discoveredlately, prove art and construction development.Besides the characteristic monumental view, they wereornamented by mozaics and architectonic sculptures. The mostfamous were the Basilicas of Tepe in Elbasan, Bylis, Mesapik andArapaj in Durres. Silversmith's trade, trimming of metallicornament and ceramics which did not have much artistic values were also developed.

From the Antropological point of view, Albanians' prevailing features are Adriatic ones such as broad and short headwith its rear part flat, long face with broad upper part, theoutstanding nose and concave back, with their stature abovemedium.

Construction architecture of Islamic cult was born inAlbania in 14th century with the establishing of Ottomanrule. The buildings reflecting this architecture were themosques, masjid, vault mexhite (coins belonging to ottoman empire period) etc. Mosques in Albanian big cities had monumentalcharacter.

Construction architecture of christian cult started in 4thcentury (paleochristian period). It flourished by the end of5th century and first half of 6th century, at the time of Byzantine emperors of Illyrian origin Anastas and Istinian. Thisis proved by the rich architectural sculptures found in Durres, in the ruins of several churches of Bylis, Lezhe, Butrint etc.

The Byzantine architecture dates up to 9th century with the old architectural type, among which basilicas of Durres.

Albanian mediaeval architecture goes through an importantperiod in the 12-15th centuries. From this period are preservedmonuments included in the Byzantine and roman-gothic architecture Some of those are the churches of Shirgh, cathedral ofSaint Stephan in Shkoder, Cape Rodon Church.

The ancient Byzantine culture in Albania dates from 5-6thcenturies A.D. It was accompanied by spreading of christianitywhich caused a good part of the Illyrian cities transform intobishopric centers . Bylis was an important center of that period. This period was characterized by constructions of paleochristiancult buildings, basilicas,baptistries etc. Floors in mosaicand rich architectonic sculptures ornamnted inside werecharacteristic to these constructions.

Source: Albanian Government

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