Line #18 UsefulNotes/Liberia


1	[[quoteright:325:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/liberia_7163.gif]]
2
3	A formerly war-torn country in the west coast of UsefulNotes/{{Africa}}, neighbouring UsefulNotes/SierraLeone. You probably heard it as the home country of [[UsefulNotes/AssociationFootball legendary striker]] George Weah, as well as Raiden from the ''VideoGame/MetalGear'' series. Like its neighbour, it was settled as a colony for freed slaves, this time from America. Thus the capital is named Monrovia, in honour of UsefulNotes/JamesMonroe whose plans helped the idea of resettlement back in Africa come to exist.
4
5	The '''Republic of Liberia''' was formed by the American Colonization Society as a means of sending freed slaves back to Africa, and also allegedly planting the seed to spread Christianity and 'civilize' the continent. It also served a purpose as a dual means of removing freed blacks from North America. The early settlers were made up of these daring folk, who had mostly grown up in the USA and would come to realise the hard way that they were unaccustomed to the harsh tropical climate. For local tribes, slavery was a huge source of income and they followed native religions. The settlers wanted to abolish slavery and follow Protestant Christianity imported from their life in the US. Naturally the two groups came to blows but the settlers, who would come to be called [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Americo-Liberian_people Americo-Liberians]], founded Monrovia and other settlements along the coast. After numerous attempts, independence was declared from the ACS in 1847 and the settlements would come to merge under Monrovia's authority.
6
7	The early decades saw a society tiered between the ruling mulatto (mixed-race) class and darker skinned settlers, who were represented by the Republican and True Whig parties, respectively. The Republican Party faded from relevance, eventually dissolving in 1899, leaving Liberia an effective one-party state under the True Whigs (though other parties were never banned). By that time, the True Whigs had become all but indistinguishable from the local UsefulNotes/{{Freemasons}}. Prince Hall Freemasonry, a distinctively African-American form of Freemasonry, had been introduced to Liberia in the late 1860s. It became so influential there that Masonic membership was a virtual prerequisite for TWP leadership, with matters of state believed to have been decided within the lodges. The Liberian Freemasons were heavily criticized not only for their political influence, but also for excluding indigenous Liberians from their ranks. The majority native population would not be involved politically in the new republic until the 1980s. Despite the high mortality rate amongst the settlers there was some success in agriculture and development in the coastal towns, but Liberia's economy remained largely commodity based as developments outside the country outpaced it. Colonial powers would come to surround the new republic and seek to influence it to their will. Decades of struggle created a cultural identity among the settlers, unique in that it was neither truly African nor truly American but a synthesis of both. Political issues within the country included whether to pursue an isolationist or Atlanticist foreign policy, how to treat the natives, and various issues surrounding corruption. A notable event was when, allegedly seeking to run up a sovereign debt in an attempt to boost economic output, the 5th President of Liberia Edward James Roye acquired an eye-watering loan of $500,000 from London financiers. Naturally, this provoked fury. Roye's critics caught up with him and he became the first sitting Liberian president to be murdered in office; he would not be the last. There were no easy solutions to the backward economy, staggering levels of debt, and the ever-present tensions that plagued the Liberian state.
8
9	A lifeline came in the 1920s when rubber magnate Henry Firestone sought to capitalize on the rubber boom by establishing his own source of natural rubber. An agreement was reached whereby, in exchange for access to the country's rubber, the corporation would lend the Liberian government money in order to pay off its debts to London and develop the infrastructure needed to ship the resource out of the country. This stoked further controversy among the settlers; as the company had complete authority over the government's revenues until the loan was paid, the agreement effectively turned Liberia into a [[BananaRepublic protectorate]] of Firestone Corporation.
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11	General elections were held in 1927. Charles B.D King won what is now considered "the most [[VoteEarlyVoteOften fraudulent]] election in history" with 243,000 votes. There were 15,000 registered voters. His rival Thomas J. Faulkner had the last laugh, reporting the True Whig party to the League of Nations, accusing them of using forced labor both at home and selling slaves to the Spanish colony of Fernando Bo (what is now Bioko in Equatorial Guinea) to work in back-breaking conditions where survival rates were low. Despite the government's refusal to co-operate, the [=LoN=] committee uncovered evidence proving the claims to be true. In the eyes of the international community, things had gone full-circle, with the settlers now treating native Africans as their ancestors had been treated when they were enslaved. Amidst shock both at home and abroad, President King resigned in disgrace.
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13	1931 saw the election of Edwin Barclay, who believed in co-operation with the US and made steps towards economic liberalization. Liberia played a key strategic role in World War II, with a defense pact being signed with the US in 1942. The US built Robertsfield Airport and other infrastructure in exchange for permission to build a military base in the region. 1944 brought the election of William Vacanarat Shadrach Tubman, who sought to bring the country closer to the USA. Tubman ushered in a period of strong economic growth, spurred by foreign investment, particularly from the US. As a fervent anti-communist, he took the US side in [[UsefulNotes/ColdWar The Cold War]], cementing the nation as a key bulwark against communism in West Africa. By the end of Tubman's rule, Liberia was a major exporter of rubber and iron ore, as well as earning a tidy profit as a 'flag of convenience' country. The debt with Firestone was paid off in 1952. Tourism also boomed; at a time when most African countries were fighting civil wars or wars of liberation, as Africa's first Republic Liberia remained a beacon of stability where the elites of the continent could safely take their holidays away from the drama.
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15	Tubman was successfully able to balance the demands of the settler elite with the native majority by creating a powerful network of patronage through the country, to the extent that he would personally visit local chiefdoms to resolve disputes himself. Political reforms were also implemented, with universal suffrage being introduced in the '50s and more native-born Liberians educated than ever before. Nevertheless, Tubman's rule was marked by increasing authoritarianism, with [[SecretPolice secret police]] and repression of rival political parties and trade unions. It also remained highly [[ScrewTheRulesIHaveConnections nepotistic]], with top opportunities remaining the domain of those descended from the original settlers. He became more paranoid and tyrannical after a gunman failed to assassinate him in 1954 (whether it was a genuine assassination attempt or an unfortunate misunderstanding is subject to debate). However, his rule ended suddenly in 1971 when he died in London from complications following surgery.
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17	Following Tubman's death, he was succeeded by Vice President William Tolbert, who took to wearing a safari suit when out and about, as opposed to his predecessor's Western-style dress. Tolbert had sympathies with both the Soviet Union and Mao's China, was a fierce critic of Israel, and sought to distance Liberia from the West and [[TakeAThirdOption join the Non-Aligned Movement]]. Compared to his predecessors, he was not well-liked by the USA. Widespread corruption, political unrest and falling rubber prices contributed to increasing unrest and instability, creating a tinderbox where the historic tensions between the natives and the settler elite threatened to explode. In 1979 there were the Rice Riots, where the price of Liberia's staple food rocketed, partly due to price controls implemented by the government. A peaceful protest rapidly became a destructive mob, triggering government reprisals. After this, Tolbert's credibility hit the floor.
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19	UsefulNotes/TheEighties began with Army Sergeant [[TheGeneralissimo Samuel K. Doe]] leading a [[MilitaryCoup coup]] against Tolbert's government, [[TheKingslayer murdering the President in his bed]] and [[PublicExecution executing most of the cabinet on the beach in front of a baying mob]] after a [[JudgeJuryAndExecutioner series of show trials]]. Conspiracies abound as to whether the [[RegimeChange CIA was involved in destabilizing the regime]] due to Tolbert's changes in foreign policy. The rebels established the People's Redemption Council, [[FromBadToWorse a military junta that dissolved the legislature and Constitution]]. This ended 133 years of Americo rule and triggered a mass exodus, with many seeking asylum in the USA. Doe also banned Freemasonry within the country. Doe attempted to legitimize his regime by dissolving the People's Redemption Council in 1984, trying to pass a new constitution and holding (fraudulent) elections in 1985. He also lifted the ban on Freemasonry in 1987. Internationally, Doe's reign represented a return to pro-US policies and gained the approval of the Reagan administration. Nonetheless, he remained a tyrant in the eyes of many of his people, as he used his position to [[FullCircleRevolution enrich himself and members of his native Krahn tribe at the expense of the rest]].
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21	This led to a a long and vicious civil war sparking off war in neighbouring Sierra Leone. How vicious, you ask? Well, Samuel K. Doe was [[ColdBloodedTorture eventually tortured to death]] [[FullCircleRevolution by a rival]] named Prince Y. Johnson. Said torture was filmed, and allegedly showed Prince sipping a Budweiser while Doe was getting his ear hacked off. The film made the rounds in various African marketplaces. [[MeetTheNewBoss Charles Taylor]] then took things over and screwed things up in neighboring countries (funding rebels, etc.) until he was forced to leave by international pressure, spearheaded by former US president UsefulNotes/GeorgeHWBush. Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf became president afterwards. Things have been relatively peaceful there since then... but unfortunately, in 2014, [[FromBadToWorse Ebola]] struck.
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23	The previously mentioned Sirleaf is Africa's first female president. Alongside Ethiopia, it is the only country on the continent not to be colonised by Europeans (not counting the Italian invasion before UsefulNotes/WorldWarII) and, unlike Ethiopia, it is the only country on the continent that wasn't from a traditional African nation or a former European colony. Has a unique relationship tie with America because of the former American Colonization Society.
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25	Former Chelsea and Manchester City footballer George Weah became the 25th president in a peaceful democratic election 2018.
26
27	!!Tropes:
28	* AwesomeButImpractical: Building an elitist colonial settler state reminiscent of the antebellum South, complete with 19th century plantation houses, top hats, morning coats and Masonic lodges, all in the sticky tropical heat of the African bush. What could go wrong?
29	* BananaRepublic: Especially between 1926 and 1952, where the country's revenues were completely controlled by Firestone until the sizable loan was paid off.
30	* CorruptCorporateExecutive: Pandering to foreign corporations such as Firestone was historically key to gaining the revenue necessary to pay off the national debt and maintain stability. More recently Charles Taylor turned a profit from allowing exploitation of the country's raw materials by shadowy cartels and corporations.
31	* CorruptPolitician: Rampant to the point of normality, through the countries history and into the present day.
32	* ChildSoldiers
33	* CultOfPersonality: President Tubman cultivated one, moreso as his term progressed.
34	* DarkestAfrica: A unique example in history, with those of African descent but (at least some) Western cultural influences coming into contact with hostile natives.
35	* DemocracyIsBad: Despite Liberia nominally being a republic for all people's of "Negro descent", the Americo-Liberians were always concerned about opening up their US-inspired republican system to the natives.
36	* {{Eagleland}}: Relations with the USA were somewhat strained in the 19th century, but the connection between the two has always been there. In the 20th century US development aid and trade were a major force behind the country undergoing a degree of modernisation and stability, making this a Type 1.
37	* ForeignCultureFetish: For the Americo-Liberian elite, antebellum Southern culture and Protestant Christianity. More recently American culture in general.
38	* FullFrontalAssault: Joshua Blahyi / General Butt Naked (see below)
39	* TheGeneralissimo: Samuel Doe, although he was only a 29-year old sergeant when he came to power.
40	* GlobalCurrency: The US dollar is far more sought-after than the weaker Liberian dollar.
41	* GunboatDiplomacy: The British previously deployed a warship off the coast of Liberia to ward off French attempts at dominating the country. This was because it threatened their position in neighbouring Sierra Leone.
42	* HeelFaithTurn: General Butt Naked (real name Joshua Blahyi) was one of the warlords of Liberia during the civil war and was one of the most heinous and dangerous. Then he converted to Christianity and became a preacher who tried to help Liberia recover from the war.
43	* LandOfOneCity: Monrovia is by far the most developed (although that's not saying much) settlement in the country, and most economic development, government activity and NGO operations are based there. It is common for 'country people' to move to Monrovia for work and send what little money they can find back to their relatives in the hinterland.
44	** In the country's early history, the settler elite claimed huge swathes of land (moreso than the present-day boundaries) as their own, but in practice they rarely left their coastal settlements for the hazards of the interior.
45	* LoweredRecruitingStandards: The Liberian army was never particularly professional, but following the outbreak of civil war this very much became the case, with warbands being almost entirely composed of drugged up child soldiers forming.
46	* ImAHumanitarian: Many of the various warlords and rebel groups were widely known for eating the flesh of their opponents or of innocent victims killed for ritual purposes (it was believed that the hearts and blood of children would fend off harm). Apparently the practice continues to this day, with parts of abandoned bodies often going mysteriously missing, although [[NoPartyLikeADonnerParty it's mostly out of hunger]] rather than ritual these days.
47	* UsefulNotes/JamesMonroe: The capital city was named after him.
48	* ''Film/LordOfWar'': provides the setting of the movie.
49	* MadeASlave: For a country that was founded by freed slaves whose later governments came to become slave traders, this definitely applies.
50	* MeaningfulName: Liberia means ''freedom''. The country was founded by freed slaves.
51	* Music/MichaelJackson: '''Liberian Girl''' of course.
52	* NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast: Many warlords of Liberia took intimidating pseudonyms. General Franchise/{{Rambo}}, General [[UsefulNotes/OsamaBinLaden Bin-Laden]], General Mosquito (because mosquitoes bring malaria), General Mosquito Killer (who fought against General Mosquito) and so on. YMMV if General Butt Naked is an example of this or an aversion
53	* PeoplesRepublicOfTyranny: Africa's first black republic, founded by freed slaves, was from its inception a de facto feudal state, where the settler elite governed the disenfranchised native majority.
54	* PublicExecution: In 1980 Samuel Doe's militia brought the majority of the cabinet to the beach, tied them to stakes and proceeded to execute them by firing squad in front of crowds of onlookers, including members of the international press. This infamous scene was the beginning of over three decades of chaos.
55	* RagsToRiches: Samuel K. Doe went from being a lowly native-born army sergeant to the president of the country. It didn't save him in the end of course...
56	* SelfMadeMan: Many of the early settlers who rose to prominence were either entrepreneurs in the USA or became wealthy in the "new" country. The first (and seventh) President Joseph Jenkins Roberts was one of these.
57	* ScrewTheRulesIHaveMoney: Liberia has one of the world's largest fleets of merchant ships registered under their flag because of this.
58	** Tubman ensured that vast sums of the meagre national budget were spent on his presidential yacht.
59	* VelvetRevolution: The Second Liberian Civil War was brought to an end by mass peaceful protests from Liberian women. This paved the way for the election of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
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61	!! Works
62	* Myth/MendeMythology
63	* Myth/WoiEpic
64	----
65	[[AC:The Liberian flag]]
66	https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/liberia_flag_9603.png
67	->The flag shares a similar design to that of the United States, alluding to the country's origins in the American Colonization Society. Eleven alternating stripes of red (symbolizing valor) and white (symbolizing purity) recall eleven men who signed the Liberian Declaration of Independence -- Samuel Benedict, John Day, Anthony William Gardiner, J.B. Gripon, Amos Herring, Elijah Johnson, John Lewis, Richard Murray, Jacob Prout, Ephraim Titler, and Beverly Wilson; the blue (symbolizing fidelity) canton symbolizes Africa, and the white star symbolizes freedom.
68	----
69	[[AC:The Liberian national anthem]]
70
71	->All hail, Liberia, hail!
72	->All hail, Liberia, hail!
73
74	->This glorious land of liberty
75	->Shall long be ours.
76
77	->Though new her name,
78	->Great be her fame,
79	->And mighty be her powers,
80	->Though new her name,
81	->Great be her fame,
82	->And mighty be her powers,
83
84	->And mighty be her powers,
85	->And mighty be her powers,
86
87	->In joy and gladness
88	->With our hearts united,
89	->We'll shout the freedom
90	->Of a race benighted,
91	->Long live Liberia, happy land!
92	->A home of glorious liberty,
93	->By God's command!
94	->A home of glorious liberty,
95	->By God's command!
96
97	->All hail, Liberia, hail!
98	->All hail, Liberia, hail!
99
100	->In union strong success is sure
101	->We cannot fail!
102
103	->With God above
104	->Our rights to prove
105	->We will o'er all prevail,
106
107	->With God above
108	->Our rights to prove
109	->We will o'er all prevail,
110
111	->We will o'er all prevail,
112	->We will o'er all prevail,
113
114	->With heart and hand
115	->Our country's cause defending
116	->We'll meet the foe
117	->With valor unpretending.
118
119	->Long live Liberia, happy land!
120	->A home of glorious liberty,
121	->By God's command!
122	->A home of glorious liberty,
123	->By God's command!
124	----
125	[[AC:Government]]
126	* Unitary presidential constitutional republic
127	** President: Joseph Boakai
128	** Vice President: Jeremiah Koung
129	** House Speaker: Johnathan K. Koffa
130	** Chief Justice: Sie-A-Nyene Yuoh
131	----
132	[[AC:Miscellaneous]]
133	* '''Capital and largest city:''' Monrovia
134	* '''Population:''' 5,214,030
135	* '''Area:''' 111,369 sq km (43,000 sq mi) (123rd)
136	* '''Currency''': Liberian dollar ($) (LRD)
137	* '''ISO-3166-1 Code:''' LR
138	* '''Country calling code:''' 231
139	* '''Highest point:''' Mount Wuteve (1440 m/4,724 ft) (144th)

Context UsefulNotes / Liberia