Liberia

Liberia, formally referred to as the Republic of Liberia, possesses a distinctive and intricate historical narrative that differentiates it from other West African nations. Geographically and historically, Liberia, on West Africa’s Atlantic coast, holds a distinct position.

Rising on the coast of West Africa, Liberia is surrounded to the northwest by Sierra Leone, to the north by Guinea, and to the east by Ivory Coast. The Atlantic Ocean shapes the southern and southwestern borders of the nation, offering it a notable coastline. Covering 43,000 square miles (111,369 km²), Liberia is a rather small nation in terms of both size and population compared to some of its West African counterparts. It boasts about 5.5 million people.

Monrovia, so named for James Monroe, the fifth President of the United States, is Liberia’s capital and largest city. This name captures the special historical link between Liberia and the United States, a relationship that has molded most of the nation’s growth and character.

Though English is Liberia’s official language and reflects its historical ties to the United States, the nation boasts amazing linguistic variety. Spoken throughout Liberia, over twenty indigenous languages reflect different ethnic groups and cultural customs. This linguistic mosaic honors the many people who call the nation home as well as its rich cultural legacy.

The complicated racial dynamics of America in the 19th century directly relate to Liberia’s history. Early in the 1800s, a project of the American Colonization Society (ACS) laid the modern basis of the country. Comprising slave owners as well as abolitionists, this group felt that freed African Americans would have better chances for freedom and prosperity in Africa than in the United States.

More than 15,000 freed and free-born African Americans, together with 3,198 Afro-Caribbeans, moved to the territory that would become Liberia between 1822 and the beginning of the American Civil War in 1861. Arriving to be known as Americo-Liberians, these immigrants carried with them their customs, culture, and vision for building a new society.

Among African nations, Liberia’s path to nationhood was singular. Liberating itself on July 26, 1847, Liberia became the first African republic to do so. Though nearly 15 years later, the United States did not formally acknowledge Liberia’s independence until February 5, 1862. This delay was mostly caused by the convoluted political environment around race relations and slavery in the United States at the time.

Liberia is unique among modern republics in Africa in being the first and oldest. Along with Ethiopia, it was one of only two African nations to keep its sovereignty and independence during the late 19th and early 20th century European colonial “Scramble for Africa.” Though with great difficulties, Liberia’s special status allowed it to create its own route in terms of government and development.

Liberia backed the United States war effort against Germany throughout World War II. This cooperation resulted in large American expenditures in Liberian infrastructure, thus augmenting the wealth and growth of the nation in the middle of the 20th century.

Under President William Tubman’s direction, Liberia underwent political and economic transformation that improved its standing internationally and general state of development. The nation joined several significant international organizations, including the League of Nations, the United Nations, and the Organization of African Unity (now the African Union).

Though Liberia’s early history was characterized by complicated and sometimes hostile interactions between the Americo-Liberian immigrants and the indigenous people, it still aspired for freedom and equality. Drawing from their American background, the colonists set up a political and social framework that sometimes excluded the indigenous people.

From inland chiefdoms, indigenous groups, including the Kru and Grebo, launched raids on colonial settlements. Though a numerical minority, the Americo-Liberians created an elite class with disproportionate political influence. The fact that indigenous Africans were denied birthright citizenship in their own country until 1904—a situation that set the stage for later strife—showcased this disparity quite clearly.

With a military takeover that toppled Americo-Liberian rule in 1980, the political tensions building for decades reached a climax. Samuel Doe, Liberia’s first indigenous leader, gained power at this occasion. But Doe’s government rapidly descended into a dictatorship, and during the First Liberian Civil War he was assassinated in 1990.

Between 1989 and 2003, the nation suffered two terrible civil wars that claimed almost 250,000 lives—about 8% of the total population—and caused great more displacement. Liberia’s economy suffered greatly as well from these disputes; it dropped by 90%.

A peace agreement in 2003 opened the path for democratic elections in 2005, launching Liberia into a new period of rather calm. Faced with development challenges, the nation has been rebuilding its infrastructure, economy, and social fabric with resilience and tenacity since then.