When was liberia independent

ISBN Today's Articles People, Locations, Episodes. Mon, Previous Story. New Haven, Serials Cr. This wood-engraving shows the first settlement at Cape Montserado in what was then called the Grain Coast and which later became the Republic of Liberia - Connecticut Historical Society. On July 26, , a group of settlers in a small colony on the west coast of Africa issued a Declaration of Independence, creating the independent Republic of Liberia with a constitution based on the political principles of the United States.

Many of these former African Americans had been freed from enslavement; others were born free but left the United States seeking greater opportunities for themselves and their children. According to its constitution the purpose was:. The colony that would eventually become Liberia was established in ; by , there were more than 2, settlers there.

Eventually 18, Americans of African descent would emigrate to Liberia. The U. Government had provided Liberia some financial support, but Washington expected Monrovia to move toward self-sufficiency. Commerce was the first economic sector to grow in the colony. However, French and British traders continually encroached upon Liberian territory.

As it was not a sovereign state, it was hard-pressed to defend its economic interests. Government lent some diplomatic support, but Britain and France had territories in West Africa and were better poised to act. As a result, in , Liberia declared independence from the American Colonization Society in order to establish a sovereign state and create its own laws governing commerce.

Despite protests by the affected British companies, London was the first to extend recognition to the new republic, signing a treaty of commerce and friendship with Monrovia in Because of fears of the impact this might have on the issue of slavery in the United States, Washington did not recognize the nation it had played a role in creating.

In the meantime, a mass exodus of African-Americans to Liberia never materialized. Official U. With the backing of the United States, Liberia kept its independence though the turmoil of the 20th century. A costly civil war began in and lasted until , when Charles Taylor was elected Liberian president in free elections.

But if you see something that doesn't look right, click here to contact us! President Harry S. Truman signs Executive Order —ending discrimination in the military—on July 26, African Americans had been serving in the United On July 26, , President George H. Bush signs the Americans with Disabilities Act ADA , the most sweeping affirmation of rights for the disabled in American history at the time, into law.

Finch of the Department of Justice. One year later, the Office of the Chief For the next 87 years, it remained