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Liberia was founded in 1822 by U.S. blacks,
most of whom were former slaves.
Anti-slave organizations played a major role.
7/26/1847
Liberia becomes a republic w/ a
constitution similar to that of the U.S.
Descendants of the former U.S. slaves dominate the govt.
4/12/80
Bloody predawn coup results
in death of President Tolbert.
Coup is led by Army Redemption Council
(made up mostly of enlisted men).
They claimed they did it because of rampent corruption.
'Elections' put Sgt. Samuel Doe into power.
Dec. 1989
Civil War begins.
June, 1990
Opposition forces advance on the Capital of Monrovia.
Sept. 1990
Doe captured and put to death.
'Peacekeepers' from several African nations
center to stop fighting, but fail, as several
cease fires actually lead to more fighting.
9/1/95
The Council of State is imposed.
April, 1996
Monrovia is ravaged by more factional fighting.
9/3/96
Ruth Perry becomes modern
Africa's 1st woman head of state.
7/19/97
Former rebel leader Charles Taylor is
elected president in first elctions in 12 yrs.
His rival Roosevelt Johson still has his own
military force based at a formed army base.
Taylor made Johnson a rural development minister
and then Ambassador to India in
an effort to get rid of him.
Over 150,000 died, and 500,000 were
left as refugees by the civil war.
9/21/98
More Fighting |