Abstract

Before the declaration of the second Ottoman Constitution, Albanian nationalists played a major role in the organization of The Committee for Union and Progress (CUP) on the Balkans. It is noteworthy that the chain of events that enabled Abdulhamid II to declare the Second Ottoman Constitution and that the main actors of these events were Albanians. The Albanians, who saw the Ottoman State rapidly losing land in Rumeli, both during the reign of Abdulhamid II and after the declaration of the Second Ottoman Constitution, they made a great national cultural movements and nationalist organizing activities. Albanian nationalists have been with CUP because they think that the declaration of Second Ottoman Constitution will create an ideal environment for the development of the Albanian national movement. As CUP has adopted a centralist and Turkish politics when it comes to power, the Ahrar Party, which follows decentralization policy, is suitable for the Albanians, and Ahrar’s British support has also started to be seen as a guarantee for the future autonomous or independent Albania. The purpose of this article is to briefly evaluate the Albanian actors who took part directly or indirectly during the March 31 Incident. The preparation process of the 31 March Incident, roles during the event, Albanian nationalism and the independence of Albania were evaluated by those directly involved (such as İsmail Kemal Bey, Müfit Bey, Esat Paşa Toptani, İbrahim Temo). The general activities of Albanian nationalism and the independence of Albania were evaluated, indirectly (such as Hasan Pristina, Şahin Kolonya, Necip Draga, Avlonyalı Süreyya Bey, Mithat Fraşeri) who took part in the 31 March Incident.