In the early 1800s, there were about 2 million Negroes living in the United States of which 200, 000 were free slaves.
During this period, many whites slaves owners and non slaves owners were afraid that the growing numbers of free black slaves could pose an economic risk and as slave revolts were very common in those days, there was also the fear that these freed slaves could seek retribution for the years of injustices they endured while in slavery.
It was upon this fear that the ACS (American Colonization Society), a group comprising of white men some of which were slave owners themselves decided that people of color (blacks) should be given the opportunity of returning to their land of ancestral birth.
In 1820, with the help of the US government, the first batch of freed slaves boarded a ship called “The Elizabeth” and sailed from New York harbor to the coast of West Africa, seeking to purchase a piece of land where they can resettle. They landed in Sierra Leone and Cape Mesurado in what is now called Liberia , which means “Land of the free”.
For more information on the origins of Liberia , please visit the Free Encyclopedia.
Liberia is the oldest African nation. It was never colonized but governed by White agents from the American Colonization Society (ACS) prior to declaring independence in 1847.
Liberia which means "land of the free" became the home of many freed blacks who were living in the United States after of the abolition of slavery.
The Liberian constitution was drafted after the United States constitution by Professor Simon Greenleaf, a lawyer from Massachussetts.
Prior to declaring her independence, Liberia was governed by white agents of American Colonization Society or in short ACS. The carried the title of "Governor" or "Lt. Governor".
Liberia has strong tradition ties with the United States. This is seen with similarities in the flags and constitutions of both nations. During World War II, black troops from the United States Armed Forces were stationed in Liberia. Liberia was of strategic importance to the Allied Forces. The United States also built a state of art satellite communication center during War World II.
The Capital city of Liberia is "Monrovia". It was named after President James Monroe, the 5th President of the United States.
Liberia is located on the West coast of Africa. It shares borders with Sierra Leone, the country featured in the movie, "Blood Diamond". It also shares borders with Ivory Coast, Guinea, and the Atlantic ocean. The Atlantic coast line offers some of the best beaches and natural harbors in the world.
Prior to the Liberian civil war, Liberia was the most cultural diverse nation in West Africa. This was partly due to its open door policy which allows foreign investors to freely invest in the country. You could find nationals from almost all the countries of the world because Liberia is the only country in Africa that uses the US dollar as its legal currency.
LIBERIA IN THE PRESENT
Liberia experienced a civil war which began in 1989 and lasted until 2003. According to United Nation report, an estimate of over 200,000 person died during the civil war.
Liberia is blessed with so many natural resources which includes but not limited to gold, diamond, iron ore, timber, rubber, coffee, and cocao. However, it is still amongst the poorest countries in the world with most families earning less than $1 US a day.
Liberia has a population of about 3,000,000. Employment rate is about 85%. This means that about 1 in every 7 persons in Liberia have a job.
Illiteracy rate stands at about 80%. This means that about 4 out of 5 persons cannot read or write. According to UNICEF report, It is also estimated that about half a millon children do not attend school. Two thirds of children who attend are being taught by unqualified teachers. Girls have the highest number of drop outs rate.
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According to UNICEF report, Liberia has one of the highest infant mortality rate. More than 15% of children die before reaching the age of one (1).
Nearly 40% of the population do not have access to safe water and about 75% don't have access to proper sanitation. |
The Liberian civil war and the rising HIV/AIDS epidermic have resulted to an estimate of 230,000 children living as orphans.
Life expentancy is at 42. This means that most Liberians don't live past the age of 42.
Elections held in 2003 brought into office the first elected female Head of States in Africa and in Liberia. President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is a long time politician trained at Harvard. She has promised a vigorious fight against corruption in government, improve the educational system, and to restore the basic public services such as proper sanitation, running water, and electricity. So far, she has live up to that promise.
A clean up compaign to restore dignity to the streets of Monrovia
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