Enver Hoxha

Enver Hoxha was an Albanian communist politician who ruled Albania as a dictator for 40 years, from 1944 to 1985. He was the founder and leader of the Party of Labour of Albania, which became the only legal political party in the country after the end of World War II. He also held various other positions, such as prime minister, foreign minister, defence minister, and commander-in-chief of the Albanian People's Army. He was a staunch follower of Stalinism and pursued a policy of self-reliance, industrialization, collectivization, and isolationism. He broke off relations with Yugoslavia, the Soviet Union, and China at different times, accusing them of revisionism and betrayal of communism. He also suppressed any opposition or dissent within Albania, banning religion, restricting civil liberties, and imprisoning or executing thousands of people. He built a network of concrete bunkers across the country, fearing a foreign invasion or a nuclear war. He died of a heart attack in 1985, leaving behind a legacy of poverty, oppression, and paranoia.