Presented by: John D. Willie History of Liberia Presented by: John D. Willie

Where Liberia is Located? Liberia is located on the west coast of Africa, and is about the size of the state of Tennessee Bordering countries are Sierra Leone in the west, Guinea in the north, and the Ivory Coast in the east The Atlantic ocean covers the south of the Liberian coast Insert a map of your country.

Tribes of Liberia-one nation many people (Pre-ACS) Early Inhabitants: Many West African tribes believed the early inhabitants of their ancestors were Pygmies, or persons of small size. Stories and memories of them of them still live on in numerous stories and legends. Although no trace of their existence was ever discovered in West Africa, they are well-known to the peoples of this sub region. The Sousou in what is now Guinea call them ‘Doki’, the Ouolofs in Senegal call them ‘Kondrong’, the Malinke ‘Komo Koudoumi’ while in Liberia they are called ‘Jinna’. Liberia consists of 16 indigenous tribal groups and the Americo-Liberians The Kumba tribes-Gola, Lorma, Kpelle, Gbandi, Mende, and Mano-6BC. They were named after their king, Kumba. Bassa, Kru, Grebo, Mamba or, Dey-1500 from present day Ivory Coast. Bassa developed their own script Vai and Mandingo-Niger region and Western Sudan in 1500-1600. They were Muslims and the Vai also developed their own script. Krahn, Gio, Kissi, and Bella-Congo Basin via Ivory Coast 1700 Americo Liberian, West Indians, and Congo-People-1815 ACS-American Colonization Society

Liberian Scripts Vai Script Bassa Script Bassa

Historical Timeline of Liberia-Post ACS Timeline of important historical events of Liberia Black Colonization Colony to Republic Nationhood & Survival Exploration & Grebo war Lost of the Gallinas Lost of the Cavalla lands Nation of Many people End of Americo-Liberian Rule Civil War Officially Ends 1815-1817 1820-1847 1847-1871 1871-1875 1883 1892 1900-1980 1980-2005 2005-Present ACS sends wave of Americo-Liberians to Africa-First to Sherbro Island, but swampy, unhealthy conditions resulted in high death rate. The British helped move the settlers further north Lieutenant Robert Stockton, a US naval officer, forcefully (at gun point) negotiated a 36x3 miles land at Cape Mesurado with the Dey and Bassa tribe for $300 . Taxation forced Liberia’s independence. The capital was Christopolis, later renamed Monrovia The free slaves from Virginia & Pennsylvania settled in Cape Mount & Mesurado. Folks from Maryland settled in Cape Palmas. Free slaves from Mississippi settled in Sinoe area. In 1847 Liberia declared its independence. Britain was one of the first to recognize Liberia. US President, Abraham Lincoln, officially recognized Liberia in 1862. The nation had many financial struggles Hinterland exploration and the Grebos at war. United States sent naval ship and helped brokered peace Britain uses force and annexed land to Sierra Leone - Sewa River to the Mano River France uses force and annexed Liberian land to the Ivory Coast-San Pedro River to the Cavalla River. Battle for land between the tribes and Americo-Liberians. No political participation was allow by the indigenous people in a one party system. Military rule and nasty civil war ensued until 1997 when Charles Taylor was elected president. In 2005 Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was elected as Africa’s first female president Return to Civil Society- corruption dominates the government and election is scheduled for October 10, 2017. ACS-American Colonization Society

Assumed Gallinas & Cavalla Territories Lost to the French Lost to the British

History of Presidents of Liberia Liberia has had 23 Presidents and  8 Interim-Presidents Liberia is the only African country that has had 2 female Head of States-Ruth Perry (Interim) and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf-current and Africa’s first female president. 12 Presidents were born in the USA 11 Presidents were born in Liberia Only two Presidents were of full tribal descent, Samuel K Doe, and Gyude Bryant At least two, possibly three Presidents were assassinated Two more Presidents died in office Four Presidents resigned Two Presidents were deposed in a coup d’état one of them in a military coup One President was removed/killed during a civil war One President served over 27 years-William V.S. Tubman One president only served two months-Moses Blah. Insert a picture of an animal and or plant found in your country.

Custom, Traditions, and Religion Respect for Elders and parents In the Bassa tribe, the groom lives and works for the brides family for many years before marriage; the groom then pays $40.00 for his bride. If the wife decides to leave him, her family pays the $40.00 back regardless of how long they were together. Kola nut is offer on special occasion as a token of respect Punctuality: Liberians are never on time-add approximately 1-2 hours to the actual time of start of an appointment or event. Christmas, New year, Flag Day, and July 26 (independence day) are the major holidays. Liberia is a predominant Christian nation, but has a Muslim population as well-who said Islam and Christianity cannot co-exist? Insert a picture illustrating a custom or tradition here.

Government of Liberia The government of Liberia is similar to that of the United States of America. Branches of Government are: Executive, Legislative, and Judicial The Executive branch is the president and his/her cabinets. The Legislature consist of the House of Senate and Representative The Judicial branch controls the courts and upholds the constitution Liberia is a Republic Insert a picture of the head leader of your country.

Current Sate of Liberia It seems sadly that the Liberian government has returned to business as usual as corruption is rampant. According to FrontPage Africa, it is believed that the salaries of the members of the Liberian congress slightly exceed that of the US members of congress. There have been some slight improvements in infrastructures, but at a snail pace. Presidential Election was held on October 10, 2017. A run off election between George M. Weah and Vice President, Joseph Boikai is in limo and the country is on the verge of another civil crisis. Insert a picture that illustrates some part of your country’s economy. Resources: US Library of Congress WWW.loc.gov http://www.liberiapastandpresent.org/Peppercoastbefore1822.htm