THE FOUNDATION OF LIBERIA


THE FOUNDATION OF LIBERIA
In the 19th century, Liberia was the site for the settlement of black immigrants and former slaves. In the 1807 the US congress passed an act prohibiting the importation of slaves and as well made provision for the return of slaves illegally imported to US. The activities of the American Colonization Society were focused mainly on ending slavery in the US. The US president then James Monroe turned on the society for the solution to the slavery problem in the US.


James Monroe agreed that the society should purchase land in Africa where these slaves will be settled. His government will provide ships and money to transport the rescued slaves and freed slaves within US back to Africa. About sixty thousand slaves were freed within the US.


In December 1821, the rulers of Masurado kingdom were threatened with bombardment and were forced to cede some land to the freed slaves. By January, 1822, the immigrants were moved from Fourah Bay to Cape Mesurado. They occupied those areas. Within two years, the area they occupied was named Liberia and capital Monrovia named after Monroe the US president then.
The American Colonization Society ruled the new state. Though the immigrants initially opposed this development, they paid allegiance to the society. This loyalty did not last long because of the defined irritation faced by the blacks on the fact that whites were ruling them. There were constant riots and this made some whites government officials of the society to flee the colony for their safety.


The society tried to redress the situation by granting some powers to the immigrants. Though the overall post remained the white agent, the Colonial Council was created. The immigrants were given the power to nominate member of the Colonial Council. They were also given the power to elect a deputy to the white agent, the Sheriff and Justice of peace. Most of these members were from the immigrants.
In 1884, the post of the Governor of Liberia was created and Thomas Buchanan became the first and only white to be there. After his death, he was succeeded by an Afro-American named Joseph Jenkins. In 1847, the vote of independence went through by a simple majority of Liberians thereby bring in place the independent Liberia.

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