Liberia
Brief History: By 1820, many in the United States were strongly opposed to any form of slavery and , more than 110,000 slaves had been granted their freedom. Thomas Jefferson, among others, proposed that freed slaves be returned to Africa, although by then, many of the ex-slaves were generations removed from Africa. The American Colonization Society was formed and a large land area along the Atlantic Ocean in West Africa was identified. The name Liberia was chosen from the Latin word, Libro, meaning “free”. The first ship that returned a group of freed slaves sent to Liberia was named The Mayflower of Liberia.
Eventually, more than 15,000 ex-slaves, now called Americo-Liberians, were repatriated to Liberia from America. England also established a colony along the coast of now Sierra Leone, neighboring present day Liberia. The returning freed-slaves faced many hardships and deaths from the indigenous tribes who resented infringement on their land.
The colonies of ex-slaves set up a constitution similar to the United States. An English speaking Americanized society was established, with Christian churches built for worship and buildings similar to southern architecture were constructed.
The capital of Liberia was named Monrovia, after then president, James Monroe. The Liberians adopted the same red, white and blue of their flag as America, their currency is the Liberian dollar, and English became established as the major language.
Over many years, there were many uprisings between indigenous tribes and the now established Americo-Liberians.
POLITICAL OVERTHROW: In 1981, political leader Samuel Doe overthrew and ended the 133 year reign of the Americo-Liberian. Doe opened several ports in Canada, Europe and America, bringing in foreign investments. But Doe survived many coup attempts and became very paranoid, with his power becoming more volatile. This led to a total rebellion, and US drew back their aid.
By 1990, a full-blown tribal war was taking place with cruel terrorist activity destroying villages, maiming people and children and totally destroying the infracstructure. Man people fled to neighboring countries. and many more were killed. By 1997, Charles Taylor became the ruler as the civil war continued with horrible consequences for the country, causing the people unimaginable tragedies. By 1991, the U N imposed sanctions on Taylor, who was eventually captured and convicted of aiding and abetting rebels in Liberia and Sierra Leone.
The U.N. brought in multi-national peace keeping forces in 2003 to halt the occupation of rebel forces. Tensions and fighting didn’t immediately end, but fighting was greatly curtailed and people could once again begin to hope they would have a future.
23 years of conflict left the country with a destroyed infrastructure, destroyed villages, thousands dead, thousands of families permanently destroyed, wounded, homeless families and many refugee areas. It is estimated that over 250,000 people were killed and over a million displaced. Every family was affected with killings and loss and the poverty is nearly indescribable.
