Cham Issue during the Peace Conference in Paris 1919

Abstract

Chameria was a region inhabited predominantly by Albanians. In 1913, its major part was annexed by Greece, after the Conference of London. Since then, Chams' rights were oppressed; therefore they sought for a solution at the Peace Conference in Paris 1919, which opened officially in January 18, 1919, holding a strong believe that justice would have been made in this international political forum. This article aims to show the efforts for the solution of the Cham issue at the Peace Conference in Paris 1919, and its perspective. The analysis of the qualitative data of this matter will explain the underlying reasons of the Cham issue's position at the Peace Conference' agenda. The weakness of the Albanian state after the Great War, the geopolitical interests of its neighbouring countries, and the International political background were not in favour of this minority's issue, despite the many efforts played especially by the Albanian Diaspora in the United States of America, the promoter of principles of peace and liberty.

DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2016.v7n4p676