During the 1930’s, Italy took control of Albania, and King Zog and his family fled the country in 1939.

In the winter of 1940/1941, Greek armies invaded southern Albania and forced men there to join them.

NEW RULERS​—THE SAME TESTS

Amid the battles and turmoil of the war, the Albanian Communist Party was stealthily gaining a foothold, despite the Fascist struggles to keep control.

In September 1943, the Fascists withdrew and the German armies invaded, killing 84 people in Tiranë in just one night.

In 1944, German forces withdrew from Albania, and the Communist army established a provisional government.

The new Communist administration imposed high taxes and took over property, factories, businesses, shops, and cinemas. People were not allowed to buy, sell, or rent land, and all produce had to be turned over to the State. On January 11, 1946, Albania declared itself the People’s Republic of Albania. The Communist Party won elections and established its government with Enver Hoxha as chief of state.

More schools were opened, and children were being taught to read, though the government did not want anyone to read any literature that did not promote Communism.