Thread about the Albanian Partisan’s organization and what we can learn from their conduct during their National Liberation struggle.

To become a partisan against the fascist occupiers, one did not have to be a member of the communist party, however, one did have to be first and foremost an Anti-Fascist. This as far as joining the National Liberation Front went, was the only requirement.

While being a communist was not a requirement, this was counteracted by the Albanian Party of Labor being one of the central organizing bodies directing the National Liberation Struggle. This allowed or the movement to still maintain a socialist characteristic.

The albanian peasantry, especially in the mountainous regions, has a long standing tradition of self-defense, however, they were initially scriptural of the intentions of the Communist Party. Overtime, however, this would change.

The Albanian Party of Labor made clear their intent of land reform, thus the struggle, due to its leadership by a principled communist orginization was able to make the struggle for national liberation a socialist cause.

Any remaining worries the peasantry had about the partisans was removed when they discovered the principled and quality leaders of the movement. Meanwhile, the urban Proletariat began to enlist in the partisan bands.

This forced the rural peasantry and urban proletariat to bond together, this forming the cross class alliance of the peasants and workers. This alliance was only strengthened throughout the partisan struggle as each worked to free and benefit the other.

Every partisan band, had a commander who did not need to be a member of the Communist Party, and a political advisor who was appointed by the regional comittee of the Albanian Party of Labor. The advisor ensured the band and local area was following the correct line of the party.

The Political Advisor and Commanders made joint decisisions on the general nature of a unit’s goals, however, the commander had priority in military matters, this allowed autonomy for the individual units.

Within every unit there was a cell of party members. This group would hold study sessions and teach others within the unit about Marxist-Leninist principles, thus allowing the unit to become radicalized throughout the conflict. An added aim of this group was promoting literacy.

This units were required to be extremely disciplined in their conduct and do nothing to hurt endanger or in anyway damage the integrity of the unit in its dealings with the people. Thus with this in place, the Communists were able to use their partisan activities as a springboard

This allowed them to make the movement not just one for National Liberation from the Italian Fascists but also one of liberating the people from the tyranny of reaction that had previously bound them as well as ushering in a People’s Democracy.

When a region was cleared of the fascist invaders the partisans would dissolve the local collaborationist governments and allow for the election of a free National Liberation Council. Meanwhile illiteracy was combated through literacy programs implemented during the war.

Furthermore, the National Liberation struggle was dramatized in theatrical performances which served to bolster support for the partisans. Growing this popular support allowed for the partisans to be seen as the definitive army representing the will of the people.

This support allowed for the partisans to receive regular support from the people, food, shelter, and medicine were all freely provided to partisan bands. The people, both urban proletariat and peasantry were united in their struggle against the fascists.

The Central Comitte of the Albanian Party of Labor after it’s first congress in 1943, established that mastering Marxist-Leninist theory and principles was critical, criticizing the idea that in war no books were needed.

The success of the partisans relies on two key factors, the morale of the troops and the support of the people. Ultimately without the support of the people and the ability to be amongst the people the partisans never could’ve waged a successful revolutionary struggle.

So why talk about this? Well in short, because we can learn from it. The experiences of the Albanian Partisans are based around mountainous, rural, Guerilla warfare. These lessons can be applied to places like the Appalachian mountains or perhaps the Rockies.

I’ll focus mainly on the Appalachian because I live closer to them so I can more easily think about these. So as I focused on, the support of the people was critical to the support of the revolution. So how do we win this support? Education, poverty reduction, and aid.

Those three things would attack some of the aspects of Appalachia that have always been neglected by the capitalists. In conjunction giving some kind of rehab or combatting the opioid crisis in Appalachia would further help to generate popular support for a revolutionary movement

Leveraging the popular support and knowledge of the terrain could very well see a successful revolutionary movement come out of Appalachia.

So this was several days worth of work and normally I wouldn’t @ people just cause I imagine it’s annoying but I would like to get some peoples thoughts and opinions so to them I’m sorry if it is annoying

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