Mekteps in the development of Albanian Nationalism in the second half of the 19th century

The nationalist movement which gained prominence with the 1789 French Revolution has been one of the most important factors in the collapse of the Ottoman Empire. The nationalist ideas and activities which began in the territory of the Ottoman Empire in the Balkans and among the Christian vassals began to gain momentum among the Albanians whose majority is made up of the Muslims after the San Stefano and Berlin Treaties which have been signed after the Russian-Turkish war in 1877-1878. The territories of the Ottoman Empire in the Balkans were intended to be broken down not only by the separated countries like Greece, Serbia and Montenegro, but also by Austro-Hungarian Empire Russia and Italy. While the territories of the Empire were disintegrating, Albanians began to emphasize the Albanian nationalism in order to protect both the land they live on and their national assets. Albanian nationalism was developed as political and cultural activities conducted in order to gather Albanians, who were separated into different tribes, dialects, religion and sects, around a common ideal. In this study, the educational and cultural activities carried out by Albanian nationalists in the process of the construction of national identity of Albanian were focused. In this context, the following information is given. Studies for the opening of Albanian schools which provide education for the establishment of a national unity among the Albanians believing in different religions and sects; the contribution of the schools opened by the states such as Austria, Greece, Italy and by the missionaries to the development Albanian nationalism; attempts to create a common alphabet for Albanian language; education and media activities of the Albanian diaspora. Key Words: Albania, Nationalism, Education