Daut Dauti. Britain, the Albanian National Question and the Fall of the Ottoman Empire, 1876–1914

The Albanian National Movement has constituted a central theme of Albanian historiography. While during socialism the narrative evolved around the continuous fight of Albanians against the Ottoman yoke, fitting into the general narrative of the “Albanian people forging the path of history with the sword in their hands,” topics and interpretations diversified after 1990. Dauti aims to expand our knowledge of the Albanian national revival by posing the research question, “whether British policy and the Albanian nationalist movement had a common interest during the period 1876–1914 and what was their stance towards the Ottoman Empire” (p. 3) and using primary sources from various British archives and relevant secondary literature.The first chapter examines the writings of British travelers and their contribution to shaping the British public’s perception of Albanians during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, identifying religion as a key factor in forming this perception. The author highlights two phases in the development of Albania’s image in the British public sphere. The first phase saw information about Albania primarily disseminated through accounts of diplomats and travelers. The second phase witnessed a surge in interest in Albania, accompanied by demands for greater British engagement in the Balkans. A distinctive feature of the image-building process was the consideration of religion, with the Conservative Party viewing Albanians without significant consideration of religious affiliation, and the Liberal Party regarding religion as important in understanding and characterizing Albanians.The second chapter analyzes the Albanian League and the Congress of Berlin, focusing on the Albanian Question and the politics of Disraeli and Gladstone. Their different attitudes toward the Ottoman Empire influenced their stances, although both governments lacked an official strategy toward Albania. The following chapter delves into how British liberal ideas and policies influenced the Albanian Question during the Macedonian crisis. The early twentieth century saw a gradual change in British policy, a shift partly due to growing domestic pressure, especially from those advocating for better protection of Christians in the Ottoman Empire. The Balkan Committee played a crucial role in channeling public pressure and raising awareness about the Balkans. While the Committee had a variety of perspectives, liberal ideologies were predominant.Chapter four revolves around British foreign policy and the Albanian national movement’s role in the Young Turk Revolution. The complex ethnic and religious situation in Macedonia and the competing interests of neighboring countries and European powers are investigated. Dauti considers the inability of the European powers to offer a solution for the Macedonian question and the rising nationalism as reasons for the radicalization of Albanian nationalism. He examines Albanian intellectual groups and their views on Albania’s future, focusing on a few, most prominently Sami Frashëri, and nationalist, local, and conservative leaders, with nationalists supporting Frashëri’s ideas, local leaders pursuing mainly their own personal agendas, and conservative groups supporting the Sultan’s regime. He dedicates special attention to Ismail Bey Qemali and his views and activities to gain British support, as well as the role of Albanians in the Young Turk revolution.The fifth chapter analyzes British attitudes toward the Young Turks. Initially skeptical, Britain embraced the Young Turk Revolution, viewing it as an opportunity to counter German influence in the Ottoman Empire and potentially improve conditions in the Balkans. The British, while acknowledging Albanian grievances, often prioritized maintaining stability in the Ottoman Empire. Albanian nationalists felt threatened by the rise of the Young Turks, who promoted Turkism over Ottomanism, and their suppression of Albanian language and cultural rights led to a rebellion that failed. This conflict highlighted the rise of Albanian nationalism as a major challenge to the Ottoman Empire. The disagreement between Albanians and the Young Turks transformed from cultural debates to armed conflict.Chapter 6 sheds light on the road from autonomy to independence and the attempts of the Albanian elite to gain international support. Political events in Albanian territories are analyzed in relation to the attitudes of the British and other European powers, describing local and international events that led to the proclamation of the independence of Albania and its subsequent international recognition.The last two chapters focus on the contributions of Mary Edith Durham and Aubrey Herbert to the Albanian Question. Durham’s commitment to the principle of “the Balkans for the Balkan people” is analyzed through a thorough description of her activities and her influence on public and political opinion through personal contacts with British diplomats and media publications. Herbert made considerable efforts to inform public opinion in Britain about the Albanians and created the Albanian Committee.The monograph offers valuable insights into a complex period of Albanian history, the entanglements of the Albanian national movement, Albanian image-building processes in Britain, and British policy toward the Ottoman Empire. However, the lack of significant consideration for Albanian historiography on the period is a notable omission. Dauti’s work enhances our understanding of Albania’s path to independence by examining the role of British geopolitical interests in shaping their policy toward the Albanian Question and the impact of British public opinion in influencing government decisions.