Liberia in the 19th century: from American colony to African Republic

Kraaij, Fred P.M. van der

Between 1822 and 1847, some 4,500 American ex-slaves and free-born Blacks, unwanted and illtreated in the country of their birth, sailed to West Africa to settle in an unknown territory with an unhealthy, harsh tropical climate. Their uncertain colonisation adventure was organised and financed by White American private organisations with support from the US government. In 1847, the Black American colonists proclaimed the first independent African republic. But the settlers were not settling in an empty land. This led to many conflicts with the indigenous population, who were excluded from the new republic, as well as with slave traders and land-hungry European colonial countries. As a result, Liberia entered the 20th century as a fragile state with an uncertain political future. While researching the history of Liberia’s origins, the author made a remarkable discovery. In this book, he reveals that the name Liberia already existed in 1822, and does not date from 1824, as is the...Show moreBetween 1822 and 1847, some 4,500 American ex-slaves and free-born Blacks, unwanted and illtreated in the country of their birth, sailed to West Africa to settle in an unknown territory with an unhealthy, harsh tropical climate. Their uncertain colonisation adventure was organised and financed by White American private organisations with support from the US government. In 1847, the Black American colonists proclaimed the first independent African republic. But the settlers were not settling in an empty land. This led to many conflicts with the indigenous population, who were excluded from the new republic, as well as with slave traders and land-hungry European colonial countries. As a result, Liberia entered the 20th century as a fragile state with an uncertain political future. While researching the history of Liberia’s origins, the author made a remarkable discovery. In this book, he reveals that the name Liberia already existed in 1822, and does not date from 1824, as is the official version.Show less

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