Multi-Media Project

The History of Liberia

Liberia has seen many hard times, but it has still managed to remain a nation true unto itself. One event in the history of Liberia that caused many hardships to this nation was the Civil War that occurred in two parts which was 1989-1996 and from 1997-2003.[1] In spite of this hardship, the people of Liberia held up their values and loyalties to one another. From it's natural resources to it's various forms of religion, and languages, Liberia shows that they are willing to adapt and embrace to change. Liberia is a nation in Africa that is richly filled with diversity and culture. All throughout it's history, Liberia is a nation like many other nations in that it will leave a lasting imprint on the world that will be discussed for some time to come.

Picture Source: "Liberia Coat of Arms" date accessed: August 26, 2016, https://www.thetalkingpot.wordpress.com

The earliest beginning of Liberia can be traced back to the early 1800's. Although many people will make assertions that people from various tribes lived on the land that would later be came to be called Liberia, no real evidence can be give to these assertions. Many free slaves wanted to establish their freedom and rights in the United States of America. In order to control the free slaves, a group of white Americans named the American Colonization Society or the (ACS) decided it was best to relocate the freed slaves to Africa.[2] As the freed slaves moved and settled in Africa, this nation would then begin to have a desire to want to be governed and ruled by their own hand. In 1847 these people were successful in being named an independent Republic and thus they named themselves Liberia.[3]

Picture Source: Liberian Peace Corps Photo by: Curtis Mekemson

There are more than 25 ethic groups that live on the soils of Liberia. Some of the groups of people that live in Liberia are the Kru, Gio, Bassa, Americo-Liberians and the Kpelle.[4]  TheAmerico-Liberian is the name of the people who were the freed slaves from the United States and they settled and stayed on the nation of Liberia. The Americo-Liberians able to build their own form of government in Liberia in their early days. The Kpelle people were different from the Americo-Liberians. Out of all the ethnic groups in Liberia, the Kpelle people are by far the largest group in this area.[5]  The Kpelle people came from the savannas of Guinea which is just to the north of Liberia. [6].  The Kpelle people are skillful and very good at farming. When the Kpelle people came to Liberia they were able to show other people how to plant rice and they made the rice a great resource for Liberia. Many Kpelle people remain in Liberia to this day continuing to farm and help improve the value of the land.

Picture Source: http://kwekudee-tripdownmemorylane.blogspot.com/2013/07/kpelle-guerze-people-liberias-largest.html.  Picture was taken and copyrights are owned by: Jacques Jargoux.  The picture is of Kpelle women harvesting rice in the field.

The people groups of Liberia are just on aspect of the vast amount of diversity and culture in this one nation. Language is also an important part of the culture and diversity of Liberia. One form of language spoken in Liberia is Liberian Pidgin English. The Liberian Pidginat Language also recognized as Liberian Kreyol is dated back at far as the 19^th century.[7] Liberian Kreyol is a unique language that began with the Americo-Liberian people who came from the United States that settled in Liberia. Another form of language spoken that is spoken in Liberia is English. Although Liberian Kreyol is a blend of English, standard English is another popular form of language spoken in Liberia.

Another area of diversity and culture in Liberia is the topic of religion. For many years Islam was a religion that many in Liberia and Africa practiced of many years. After some time missionaries from the Christian began to come to Africa assisting the people of the land that were unable to take care of themselves. In Liberia in this present day, Christianity is the most practiced religion in the area. The relevance of Christanity in Liberia can be seen in the history of the capital of Liberia which is Monrovia. Before the capital of Liberia was Monrovia it's original name was Christopolis. The name Christopolis is stated as meaning, “the city of Christ”.

[8] The name Christopolis was eventually changed to Monrovia to give honor to James Monroe, but the name Christopolis has forever linked Liberia to the Christian faith.

Photo source:http://www.pahte.com/image

Many natural resources produced by Liberia encourage people from other nations to interact and trade with Liberia. One natural resource that is produced and manufactured in Liberia is rubber. Rubber is an important resource used in the production of car tires. Liberia has been the rubber business for many, many years. The production of the rubber is started initially when latex is extracted from the trees in the land.[9]  The latex is mixed with a variety of chemicals to bring about an end result which is rubber. The rubber is used to produce tires that will be distributed all across the world. Another notable natural resource that is produced in Liberia is iron ore. “Liberia is one of the largest producers of Iron ore”.[10] Iron is a product is used by many companies in Liberia and all throughout the world. Liberia has managed to become one of the leading producers of iron and they have done so for over forty years.

Liberia has been richly influenced by many groups of people all over this world. Many people came to Liberia seeking to find freedom or a fresh start. Liberia has had it's fair share of hardships, but it continues to make steps to improve their situation. Liberia's diversity and culture has allowed many groups of people to share with each other the uniqueness that each group has to offer. Liberia can will continue to be value resource to all of those who need it to be. Liberia has a vast amount of resources to offer the world if they are given the opportunity to do so. Liberia was a safe place for black American who were seeking shelter from slavery in their world. Liberia is continuing to rebuild from the scars the civil wars left behind, but they can and will recover in time.

Bibliography

Edwin Freeman “Liberia's Natural Rubber Industry”: A Second Look, The Perspective, July 2011, date accessed: July 29, 2016, http://www.theperspective.org/2011/0728201104.html

“Founding of Liberia,”1847, Office of the Historian, date accessed: August 24, 2016, https://history.state.gov/milestones/1830-1860/liberia

Fred Van Der Kraaij, “Iron Ore”. Liberia: Past and Present of Africa's Oldest Republic, May 5, 2016, date accessed: August 26, 2016, http://www.liberiapastandpresent.org/ODP/IronOre/IronOreC.htm

Fred Van Der Kraaij, “The Pepper Coast Before 1822. Liberia: Past and Present of Africa's Oldest Republic, May 5, 2016, date accessed: August 5, 2016, http://www.liberiapastandpresent.org/Peppercoastbefore1822.htm

“History of Liberia”, Vision Liberia 2027, 2008, date accessed: August 23, 2016, http://www.liberia2027.com/627324

John Pike, “Liberia-First Civil War-1989-1996.”Global Security.org, 2000, date accessed: August 24, 2016, http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/war/liberia-1989.htm

“Kpelle,” date accessed: August 24, 2016, http://www.sscnet.ucla.edu/anthro/faculty/fiske/135b/kpelle.htm

“Liberian”, Accredited Language Services, date accessed August 24, 2016, https://www.alsintl.com/resources/languages/Liberian/

“Liberia-Ethnic Groups,” Encyclopedia of the Nations, 2016, date accessed: August 26, 2016, http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Africa/Liberia-ETHNIC-GROUPS.html

“Liberia's Seeds of Knowledge”, Cultural Survival, date accessed: August 19, 2016, https://www.culturalsurvival.org/ourpublications/csq/article/liberias-seeds-knowledge

[1] John Pike, “Liberia-First Civil War-1989-1996.”Global Security.org, 2000, date accessed: August 24, 2016, http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/war/liberia-1989.htm

[2] “Founding of Liberia,”1847, Office of the Historian, date accessed: August 24, 2016, https://history.state.gov/milestones/1830-1860/liberia

[3]Fred Van Der Kraaij, “The Pepper Coast Before 1822. Liberia: Past and Present of Africa's Oldest Republic, May 5, 2016, date accessed: August 5, 2016, 

http://www.liberiapastandpresent.org/Peppercoastbefore1822.htm

[4]Liberia-Ethnic Groups,” Encyclopedia of the Nations, 2016, date accessed: August 26, 2016, http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Africa/Liberia-ETHNIC-GROUPS.html

[5] “Kpelle,” date accessed: August 24, 2016, http://www.sscnet.ucla.edu/anthro/faculty/fiske/135b/kpelle.htm

[6] “Liberia's Seeds of Knowledge”, Cultural Survival, date accessed: August 19, 2016, https://www.culturalsurvival.org/ourpublications/csq/article/liberias-seeds-knowledge

 [7]“Liberian”, Accredited Language Services, date accessed August 24, 2016, https://www.alsintl.com/resources/languages/Liberian/

 [8]“History of Liberia”, Vision Liberia 2027, 2008, date accessed: August 23, 2016, http://www.liberia2027.com/627324

[9]Edwin Freeman “Liberia's Natural Rubber Industry”: A Second Look, The Perspective, July 2011, date accessed: July 29, 2016, http://www.theperspective.org/2011/0728201104.html

[10]Fred Van Der Kraaij, “Iron Ore”. Liberia: Past and Present of Africa's Oldest Republic, May 5, 2016, date accessed: August 26, 2016, http://www.liberiapastandpresent.org/ODP/IronOre/IronOreC.htm