Liberia |
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| Author:
| Baughan, Brian |
| Editor:
| Rotberg, Robert I. |
| Series title: | The Evolution of Africa's Major Nations Ser. |
| ISBN: | 978-1-4222-2198-3 |
| Publication Date: | Jan 2012 |
| Publisher: | Mason Crest
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| Book Format: | Hardback |
| List Price: | USD $22.95 |
Book Description:
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The early history of Liberia was promising. Under the auspices of white Americans, freed slaves had been offered a new home in the West African region during the early 19th century. In 1847 the settlers founded the continent's first independent republic--a full century before the rest of Africa began to shake off colonial rule. Although the new republic modeled itself on the United States--and even named its cities after U.S. leaders--it has nevertheless endured sluggish development,...
More DescriptionThe early history of Liberia was promising. Under the auspices of white Americans, freed slaves had been offered a new home in the West African region during the early 19th century. In 1847 the settlers founded the continent's first independent republic--a full century before the rest of Africa began to shake off colonial rule. Although the new republic modeled itself on the United States--and even named its cities after U.S. leaders--it has nevertheless endured sluggish development, class division, and a brutal civil war during the 1990s that resulted in 200,000 deaths. In their struggle for stability, the Liberian people have forged peace agreements between the warring political parties and established a new, freely elected government in 2006, becoming the first African country to elect a woman as president.