Frequently in the research on the history of Africa, I came across a claim that Liberia and Ethiopia were the only African nations that never became colonized. That claim is false. Liberia was colonized by Americans, but we Americans like to disguise our colonial history.
The history of Liberia begins with the story an American effort to return freed black people to Africa. Today when you scan the map of Liberia you will find city names that reflect the country’s American origins. Cities like Monrovia (named after President James Monroe), Buchannan, Virginia, Greenville, and others all reflect the visions of Liberia’s early founders and settlers.
The misguided ideal of Liberia was soon subverted by other forces. This podcast episode tells the story of Liberia’s history, from its founding in the early 19th century to the civil wars that ended in 2003. It is a story of misguided ambitions, corruption, and enormous interference and exploitation from the nations outside of Liberia.
This bonus episode in our history of Africa podcast series is available to our Patreon supporters here.
Access the History of Africa podcast series here
Read More About the History of Liberia at these links
- A Brief History of the African Country of Liberia
- After Liberia’s Costly Rioting, Great Soul Searching (1979)
- Tolbert Dies in Liberian Army Coup (1980)
- First Liberian Civil War
- Charles Taylor Gets 50 Year Sentence (2012)
- US Sanctions Ex Warlord and Senator Johnson (2021)
- Victims of Liberia’s Civil War Are Still Waiting for Justice (2021)
- How A Brutal Civil War Tore Apart Africa’s Oldest Republic
- A Brief History of Liberia
