Intro
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Liberia is a Sub-Saharan nation in West Africa. It began as a settlement of the American Colonization Society (ACS), who believed black people would face better chances for freedom and prosperity in Africa than in the United States. The country declared its independence on July 26, 1847. The U.S. did not recognize Liberia’s independence until February 5, 1862, during the American Civil War. Between January 7, 1822, and the American Civil War, more than 15,000 freed and free-born black people who faced legislated limits in the U.S., and 3,198 Afro-Caribbeans, relocated to the settlement. The settlers carried their culture and tradition with them. The Liberian constitution and flag were modeled after those of the U.S. On January 3, 1848, Joseph Jenkins Roberts, a wealthy, free-born African American from Virginia who settled in Liberia, was elected Liberia’s first president after the people proclaimed independence.
Liberia was the first African republic to proclaim its independence, and is Africa’s first and oldest modern republic. It retained its independence during the Scramble for Africa. During World War II, Liberia supported the United States war efforts against Germany and in turn, the U.S. invested in considerable infrastructure in Liberia to help its war effort, which also aided the country in modernizing and improving its major air transportation facilities. In addition, President William Tubman encouraged economic changes. Internationally, Liberia was a founding member of the League of Nations, United Nations, and the Organisation of African Unity.
The Americo-Liberian settlers did not relate well to the indigenous peoples they encountered, especially those in communities of the more isolated “bush”. The colonial settlements were raided by the Kru and Grebo from their inland chiefdoms. Americo-Liberians developed as a small elite that held on to political power, and indigenous tribesmen were excluded from birthright citizenship in their own land until 1904, in an echo of the United States’ treatment of Native Americans. Americo-Liberians promoted religious organizations to set up missions and schools to educate the indigenous peoples.
In 1980 political tensions from the rule of William R. Tolbert resulted in a military coup during which Tolbert was killed, marking the beginning of years-long political instability. Five years of military rule by the People’s Redemption Council (Samuel Doe) and five years of civilian rule by the National Democratic Party of Liberia (Charles Taylor) were followed by the First and Second Liberian Civil Wars. These resulted in the deaths of 250,000 people (about 8% of the population) and the displacement of many more and shrank Liberia’s economy by 90%. A peace agreement in 2003 led to democratic elections in 2005, in which Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (born 29 October 1938) was elected the 24th President. She served from 2006 – 2018. Sirleaf was the first elected female head of state in Africa.
National infrastructure and basic social services were severely affected by the conflicts, with 83% of the population now living below the international poverty line.
Motto: “he Love of Liberty Brought Us Here”
Anthem: “All Hail, Liberia, Hail!”
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| All hail, Liberia, hail! (All hail!) All hail, Liberia, hail! (All hail!) This glorious land of liberty, Shall long be ours. Though new her name, Green be her fame, And mighty be her powers, And mighty be her powers. In joy and gladness, With our hearts united, We’ll shout the freedom, Of a race benighted. Long live Liberia, happy land! A home of glorious liberty, By God’s command! A home of glorious liberty, By God’s command! All hail, Liberia, hail! (All hail!) All hail, Liberia, hail! (All hail!) In union strong success is sure. We cannot fail! With God above, Our rights to prove, We will o’er all prevail, We will o’er all prevail! With heart and hand our country’s cause defending, We’ll meet the foe with valour unpretending. Long live Liberia, happy land! A home of glorious liberty, By God’s command! A home of glorious liberty, By God’s command! |
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