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 postsPortugueseDutchBritish In 1822, the American Colonization Society, established Liberia to "repatriate" black Americans to greater freedom in AfricaAmerican Colonization Society

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- Liberians On July 26, 1847, Americo-Liberian settlers declared independence of the Republic of Liberia. Joseph Jenkins RobertsJoseph 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. Scramble for Africa Weak isolated economy

April 12, 1980, a s military coup by a group of noncommissioned army officers led by Master Sergeant Samuel Doe.military coup 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.Samuel Doe Americo-Liberian Charles Taylor, invadedCharles Taylor Second Liberian Civil War (1997–2003) Bloody, confused, child soldiers, atrocities Ended 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

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

A Statistical Snap-shot of Liberia Population+/- 4,000,000 Life Expectancy46 years GDP per capita (PPP)$US 280 GDP Rank#208 Population living on <$US1.25 per day 83.7% GDP Growth, % per annum GDP Growth, % per annum Human Development Index0.336 #177 of 177

Economy: - Subsistence agricultural based Grinding sugar cane manually

– 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 )flag of convenience – Major iron ore producer – Informal sector alluvial diamond production

Rubber Plantaion

Informal Sector Diamond Mining