Historic Periods

Origins and Classification of the Tribes The indigenous tribes of the Grain Coast migrated to this land over numerous centuries from Abyssinia, the Sudan, Sahel and other eastern and northern African regions. From their original lands and over their migration periods, the people of Africa developed and spread many innovations like metal works, farming, animal […]

Hanno the Carthaginian Accounts of early European exploration of the West African Coast date back to Hanno the Carthaginian’s expedition between 520 B.C and 470 B.C. His notable voyage included the north coast along Morocco and southwards down to Shebro Island, which he called the Horn of the South. It is believed that after the […]

The Need for Removing the Freed Slaves from the US In the early 1800s, freed blacks in the US were a growing part of the population. A lot of these people had run away from their slave masters and others gained their freedoms upon the deaths of their masters. The promotion of equality of all […]

The freed slaves moved from Dozoa Island to Cape Mesurado to break free from harassment by the natives. In time, they would be called settlers, colonists and pioneers. As they had done on the island, they began building huts and making gardens. Eli Ayres went to Washington  needed help, and the Brig Strong arrived in […]

As the ACS and the settlers extended their control over tribal land – often at gunpoint – it was only the timely intervention of American, British, and other naval forces that prevented the colonists from being thrown back into the sea. -J. Gus Liebenow Since their arrival, through various flawed treaties, the settlers obtained more […]

By the time of independence, Liberia covered about 12,830 square miles along the coast and had a population of approximately 4,500 colonists. This first African republic was seen as a symbol of freedom for enslaved blacks. President Roberts visited Europe early in his presidency to promote trade and amity with the European powers. Slave trading […]

Roberts was the first Republican president and the era after him was a continuation of Republican rule in Liberia. Although the True Whigs who were of pure Negro decent opposed the Republicans, it is believed that the Republicans were re-elected based on their record and not their skin pigmentation. Following Roberts were Presidents Benson, Warner […]

The preferred professions of the high class Americo-Liberians were politics and law, although the ones who settled outside of Monrovia did persevere in agriculture. The Congoes (recaptured slaves) were the most successful farmers as they were accustomed to farming in Africa. Other prestigious professions included Christian Ministry, teaching and business. Those involved in commerce worked […]

The Republicans returned to power in 1872 as J.J. Roberts was elected (unopposed) by the Legislature at their Joint Convention in 1871. He proposed reconciling with the True Whigs because they were becoming powerful in national politics. He pardoned those that were wrongfully accused and jailed during the coup. Roberts also tried recruiting Elmot W. […]

The True Whig Party The young republic was divided into two political parties. The Mulattoes were in the True Liberian Party and the dark skinned Americo-Liberians made up the Old Whig Party. The parties names later changed with the True Liberian Party becoming the Republican Party, and the Old Whigs changing their name to the […]

Barclay’s presidency began when the nation was coming from a scandal of such magnitude and at a point of low morale. He had to restore national and international confidence in the government and fix the nation’s finances and economy. There was also an uprising in the Kru region and World War 2 happened during this […]

The Emancipator Tubman was the Emancipator, one to unite the country and integrate the natives into the Liberian society through his Unification Program. He made more changes in this aspect than any of his predecessors, although the concept was introduced many decades prior. This integration effort also stemmed from education and exposure of the natives, […]

William R. Tolbert took over a nation that was still controlled by the minority Congo people and a one-party system. A small number of natives were becoming educated, but the native majority was still excluded from key political and economic spheres. In addition to completing Tubman’s term in 1971, the government adjusted the law and […]

Doe came to power through the 1980 coup that toppled the Tolbert administration, and ended the True Whig and Congo dominance of Liberian politics. This 28 year old army sergeant with no government or administrative experience was now the Head of State. For the tribal people, it was a time of rejoicing as this was […]

Onset of the War On December 24, 1989, rebel forces called the National Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL) led by Charles McArthur Taylor, invaded Liberia from the Ivory Coast into Nimba County. Taylor was the former head of the General Services Agency (GSA) of Liberia. He fled the country when charged with embezzlement of government […]

A New Era With the days of peril ended, the sounds of war behind her, Liberia began a new day with the inauguration of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf on January 16, 2006. She is an accomplished Harvard educated banker/economist, one that has lived and worked in and outside of Liberia. Her previous employers include the […]