Africa with a grant of $100,000 from President James Monroe. In 1847, these settlers established the Republic of Liberia, the first independent country in
Africa. Five percent of the population descends from freed American slaves. English is the main language.
Up through the 1970s, Liberia was the beacon of Africa. Its constitution was modeled on the U.S. constitution. In the 1950’s, Liberia’s GNP soared to
great heights. Liberia’s renowned JFK medical center treated people from across the African continent. The capital city Monrovia (named after U.S.
President James Monroe), had the infrastructure of a modern western city including, running water, electricity, modern schools, colleges and a
university. Since its independence in 1847, Liberia had been a relatively peaceful, self-governing African nation for 133 years.
This all changed in 1980 when President William Tolbert was overthrown and replaced by Sergeant Samuel Doe. President Tolbert and 13 of his aides were
publicly executed during the coup. Sergeant Samuel Doe became Liberia’s President in 1985. In 1989, Charles Taylor led the National Patriotic Front of
Liberia (NPFL) in an uprising against the government. President Doe was executed by a splinter group of the NPFL in 1990. In 1997, Charles Taylor was
elected President of Liberia. Since 1990, Liberia has been embroiled in bitter civil war that has completely destroyed the country’s infrastructure and
left one million people (a third of the population) homeless and destitute.
A timeline of key events in the relationship between the U.S. and Liberia.
Monroe.
• In 1847, these settlers established the Republic of Liberia, the first independent country in Africa. The capital of Liberia is named Monrovia after
President James Monroe.
• Liberians modeled their constitution and national flag after the U.S.
• In 1917, at the request of the U.S., Liberia joined the Allies in declaring war on Germany, and in doing so, provided them with a base in West
Africa.
• In 1926, Firestone Tire and Rubber Company of Akron, Ohio opened the world's largest rubber plantation on one million acres of land granted from
the Liberian government. Firestone paid Liberia one cent for the rubber contract and Firestone made millions of dollars in profit. In 1936, the
Liberian government succeeded in abolishing forced-labor practices on the Firestone Plantation.
• In 1944, Liberia declared war on the Axis Powers and came to the aid of the U.S. Its territory was used by the United States and British military
forces to ferry soldiers and war supplies.
• During World War II, at the request of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Liberia agreed to expel all German residents. At that time, Germany was
Liberia's major trading partner and most of the doctors in Liberia were Germans.
• With Japan's occupation of the rubber producing areas in the Far East during World War II, Liberia was the main supplier of rubber for the Allies.
• During the Cold War years, Liberia actively supported the U.S. in the fight against communism. The U.S. built communications facilities in Liberia
to handle CIA intelligence traffic and transmit a Voice of America signal throughout the entire African continent.
• In 1980, Sergeant Samuel Doe led a coup that ousted President William R. Tolbert. He proceeded to form a government in Liberia that was brutal,
violent, and highly corrupt. Under Doe, Liberia’s funding from the United States government reached a peak.
• In 1989, Charles Taylor, an accused embezzler and United States prison escapee, ousted President Doe and fomented a devastating civil war that
claimed more than 250,000 Liberian lives. In 1997, Charles Taylor was elected President of Liberia, however unrest in Liberia continued.
• In 2003 fighting escalated as rebels battle for control of Monrovia. Thousand were killed. President George W. Bush demands Liberian President
Charles Taylor’s resignation. In August, Nigerian peace keepers arrive in Liberia and President Charles Taylor leaves Liberia. US troops arrive. An
interim government is set up and rebels sign a peace accord in Ghana. Liberia is in desperate need of humanitarian assistance and rebuilding of the
country’s infrastructure.
Liberia is Truly a Blessed Country
She is the 2nd African nation that received her independence after Haiti. Liberia is the first African country that has produced a soccer star to carry the
European best, African best and world best. The one and only "George Wah". On January 15, 2006 Liberia's first woman President was inaugurated on the
Continent of Africa "Her Excellency Ellen Johnson Sirleaf"
Click here to see "Liberia's Amazing Historical Pictures and Information"
