A Dual Perspective Study: The Italian-Albanians’ Political Activity in the Focus of the Relations Between Vienna and Rome (1895–1897)

At the end of the nineteenth century, both the Kingdom of Italy and Austria-Hungary, which were members of the Tripartite Alliance, were diplomatically involved in the Albanian National Question. Albeit their geopolitical rivalries, both Great Powers were willing to assume the common sponsorship of a future independent Albanian State. Sometimes antagonistically, Vienna and Rome tried to befriend the nationalistic impulses of the Albanians, including those of the Italian-Albanian community (known as the Arbëresh) settled in Italy since the late fifteenth century. This article investigates how between 1895 and 1897, both Austria-Hungary and Italy tried to gain the support of the Italian-Albanians in function of their respective foreign policies. In the late nineteenth century, different intellectuals from these communities envisioned nationalist programs for an independent Albania. Some of them found support in the imperialistic segments of the Italian governmental establishment; others were willing to cooperate and forged stronger contacts with Vienna. Yet, regardless of their frictions, both Great Powers succeeded in preserving an equilibrium between their contesting interests for controlling the Albanian nationalist movement.