Liberia
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Transcript of Liberia
Some History
First Habitation, around 1100s; various peoples settle at different times
1461 to late 17th century: Portuguese, Dutch and British traders had contacts and built trading posts
In 1822, the American Colonization Society, established Liberia to "repatriate" black Americans to greater freedom in Africa
• Afro-American immigrants viewed Africa as a "Promised Land," but they did not integrate into African society, considering themselves to be Americans.
• Colonization, 1821–1847• Handing over command to Americo-
LiberiansOn July 26, 1847, Americo-Liberian settlers declared independence of the Republic of Liberia.
Joseph Jenkins Roberts, First President of Liberia.
• Americo-Liberian Rule (1847–1980)– Americo-Liberian domination over indigenous
population– government, modeled after that of the U.S.,
democratic in structure, if not always in substance
• retained its independence during the Scramble for Africa, but lost its claim to territories annexed by Britain and France.
• Weak isolated economy
• April 12, 1980, a s military coup by a group of noncommissioned army officers led by Master Sergeant Samuel Doe. – The soldiers were a mixture of the various ethnic groups that
claimed marginalization at the hands of the minority Americo-Liberian settlers.
• Samuel Doe rules with the People’s Redemption Council (1980–1989)
President Samuel K. Doe with members of his "Peoples Redemption Council
• First Liberian Civil War (1989–1996)Dictatorial atmosphere that gripped the country was due
largely to Samuel Doe's rule. Americo-Liberian Charles Taylor, invaded
• Second Liberian Civil War (1997–2003)Bloody, confused, child soldiers, atrocitiesEnded with intervention by ECOWAS and 1000 Nigerian
troops plus 100 US Marines (and potential of 2000 more)Women of Liberia Mass Action for Peace, mobilize for action
and were able to achieve peace in Liberia after a 14-year civil war
Charles Taylor, now on trial for war crimes at The Hague.
• Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf elected president (2005)Stability, democracy and economic improvement 2005-2010
A Statistical Snap-shot of LiberiaPopulation +/- 4,000,000Life Expectancy 46 years
GDP per capita (PPP) $US 280
GDP Rank #208
Population living on <$US1.25 per day
83.7%
GDP Growth, 1990-2000 -5.0 % per annum
GDP Growth, 2000-2007 + 11.2% per annum
Human Development Index 0.336#177 of 177
– Firestone rubber plantations since the 1930s – Liberia has one of the world's largest national
registries of ships, due to its status as a "flag of convenience“ (1,700 vessels registered )
– Major iron ore producer– Informal sector alluvial diamond production