History of Liberia
The first African republic to gain independence, which began as a project of the American Colonization Society. 2 eras, 1822 to today.
Colony of Liberia, 1822–1847 Draft, not yet reviewed
Liberia, officially the Colony of Liberia, later the Commonwealth of Liberia, was a private colony of the American Colonization Society until 1847, when it declared independence and became the Republic of Liberia. In 1816, leaders like Henry Clay, Robert Finley, and Francis Scott Key, formed the American Colonization Society, with the purpose of relocating freedmen to the Pepper Coast. Under the terms of the Ducor Contract, signed by local chiefs, the Society acquired Cape Mesurado and land on Dozoa Island in the bay. In 1847, the legislature of Liberia declared Liberia an independent state, with Roberts as its first President.
Seat of power: Monrovia
Rulers
- Thomas Buchanan, Governor of Liberia, 1839–1841
- Joseph Jenkins Roberts, Governor of Liberia, 1841–1848
Liberia, 1847 to today Draft, not yet reviewed
Liberia, officially the Republic of Liberia, is a country on the West African coast. Led by the Americo-Liberians, Liberia declared independence on July 26, 1847, which the U.S. did not recognize until February 5, 1862. Liberia was the first African republic to gain independence and is Africa's oldest continuously independent country. In 1980, political tensions from the rule of William Tolbert resulted in a military coup, marking the end of Americo-Liberian rule and the seizure of power by Liberia's first indigenous leader, Samuel Doe.
Seat of power: Monrovia
Rulers
- Joseph Jenkins Roberts, President of Liberia, 1848–1856
- Stephen Allen Benson, President of Liberia, 1856–1864
- Daniel Bashiel Warner, President of Liberia, 1864–1868
- Anthony W. Gardiner, President of Liberia, 1878–1883
- Hilary R. W. Johnson, President of Liberia, 1884–1892
- Arthur Barclay, President of Liberia, 1904–1912
- Daniel Edward Howard, President of Liberia, 1912–1920
- Charles D. B. King, President of Liberia, 1920–1930
- Edwin Barclay, President of Liberia, 1930–1944
- William Tubman, President of Liberia, 1944–1971
- William Richard Tolbert, President of Liberia, 1971–1980
- Charles Taylor, President of Liberia, 1997–2003
- Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of Liberia, 2006–2018
- George Weah, President of Liberia, 2018–2024
- Joseph Boakai, President of Liberia, 2024 to today
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