Liberia's history is extremely unique among African countries. It originated as a colony by the American Colonisation Society, which felt that black people would have more opportunities for freedom and wealth in Africa than in the United States. This meant that Liberia did not experience the battle for independence that characterised the history of many African states in the twentieth century.
However, when the immigrants came, the area was not deserted, and the interaction between the newcomers and the indigenous people would come to define the history of this West African country.
Liberia has experienced a period of peace and prosperity under the leadership of William Tubman, President from 1944 to 1971. He received the respect of all Liberians despite being an Americo-Liberian.
After Tubman died in 1971, his Vice President, William Tolbert, became President.
Though Tolbert instituted some democratic changes, he never had the same veneration as Tubman, and his efforts to balance the Americo-Liberian and indigenous Liberians were impeded by a drop in the price of rubber in the 1970s, which reduced income in a critical part of the economy.
When Tolbert's administration raised the price of rice, the opposition Progressive Alliance of Liberia (PAL) called for a peaceful rally in Monrovia. The demonstration degenerated into a racial riot, with several people murdered.
As a result, Tolbert outlawed the PAL and imprisoned its leaders on treason charges, which proved to be a catastrophic anad fatal decision.
On the morning of April 12, 1980, 17 non-commissioned officers and soldiers from the Armed Forces of Liberia, commanded by Master Sergeant Samuel Doe, staged a coup d'état. The gang invaded the Presidential Palace and murdered Tolbert, whose body was thrown in a mass grave alongside 26 other coup victims.
