Enver Hoxha

Enver Hoxha (October 16, 1908 – April 11, 1985) was an Albanian politician who served as the leader of the Socialist People's Republic of Albania from its establishment in 1944 until his death in 1985. He was the First Secretary of the Party of Labour of Albania (PPSh) from 1941 to 1985, Chairman of the Presidium of the People's Assembly from 1946 to 1954, and Prime Minister from 1944 to 1954.

Hoxha was born in Gjirokastër, Albania, in 1908. He studied law in France and Belgium in the 1930s and became involved in communist politics. He returned to Albania in 1936 and joined the Communist Party of Albania (CPA). After the Italian invasion of Albania in 1939, Hoxha helped to organize the resistance against the occupation.

In 1941, Hoxha was elected General Secretary of the CPA. He led the Albanian partisans in a guerrilla war against the Italian and German forces. After the liberation of Albania in 1944, Hoxha became the leader of the new communist government.

Hoxha's rule was characterized by strict political and economic control. He pursued a policy of isolationism, cutting off Albania from most of the rest of the world. He also implemented a program of rapid industrialization, which resulted in severe economic problems.

Hoxha died in Tirana, Albania, in 1985. He was succeeded by Ramiz Alia.

Here are some additional facts about Enver Hoxha:

• He was the longest-serving communist leader in Europe.
• He was a close ally of Joseph Stalin and Mao Zedong.
• He was known for his paranoia and his persecution of political opponents.
• He was responsible for the deaths of thousands of Albanians.
• He left Albania in a state of economic and political isolation.