Liberia Independent

Liberia originated in the efforts of the American Colonization Society, founded in 1816, which sought to resettle free black Americans and formerly enslaved people on the West African coast. From 1822 settlers established communities along the coast, and the settlement of Monrovia was named after United States President James Monroe.

On 26 July 1847 the colony declared its independence, becoming the Republic of Liberia, the first independent republic in Africa. Its constitution was modelled on that of the United States, and Joseph Jenkins Roberts, born in Virginia, became its first president.

The Americo-Liberian settlers, though a minority, dominated the new republic's government, economy, and society, often at the expense of the indigenous peoples of the interior. Liberia maintained its independence through the era of European colonization of Africa, though it faced persistent financial difficulties and pressure on its borders from neighbouring British and French colonies.