Jeanette Holmes Liberia “Land of the Free” Back to Home Page

Jeanette Holmes Americo-Liberians  In 1816 the American Colonization Society (ACS) was form to free slaves from the United States and bring them to Liberia. For many years the ACS govern Liberia providing them with basic needs; settlers also came in contact with diseases like yellow fever, and malaria.  In 1824 the land was then labeled as Monrovia after the American President James Monroe. 40 years had passed and 19,000 African American settled in Liberia, 5,000 from slave ships and west Indian immigrants had settled in Liberia. Liberians built several schools and a university.

Jeanette Holmes Civil War The ACS discontinued their funds leaving the Liberians more than they can handle. It left them no choice but to borrow from the United States by leasing them land for businesses such as firestone. In 1944 Tubman was Liberia new President. He perpetrated his country by allowing international investments. Tubman died in 1971 leaving Liberia with a big mess to clean up themselves. Doe announced himself as the new president. But was killed in 1990 by a rebel group associated with Charles Taylor. Charles rebel group vs. the Liberia army brought upon the civil war. In 1997 Charles Taylor won the election for president in Liberia. During the war 200,000 people were killed and a little over 700,000 were refuges.

Jeanette Holmes Education Free education is available for students between the ages of Most of the students can only afford to attend public or government schools. Most schools are in Monrovia because of the good roads. Some schooling take place in come churches. Between the ages of 6-18 about half of all students are in school, and just about all schools are in desperate need of teachers.

Jeanette Holmes

Holidays/Festivals January 1 New years Day February 11Armed Force day March 8Declaration Day March 15J.J. Robert’s Birthday May 14National Unification Day May 25Africa Day July 26Independence Day August 24Nation Flag day Nevember 1All Saints Day November 29W.V.S Truman's birthday December 25Christmas

Jeanette Holmes History of the Flag The white star represents the freedom the ex-slaves were given and the blue square represents the African mainland The white star represents the freedom the ex-slaves were given and the blue square represents the African mainland The 11 stripes symbolize the 11 signatories of the Liberian declaration of independence The 11 stripes symbolize the 11 signatories of the Liberian declaration of independence The red and white colors symbolize courage and moral excellence. The red and white colors symbolize courage and moral excellence.

Jeanette Holmes Liberian Money In 2001 Liberia Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was estimated $3.6 billion dollars.

Jeanette Holmes

Culture Over 600,000 Liberian were forced to leave their home during the war. Since then Liberian have grown in different counties and also have different cultures. Over 600,000 Liberian were forced to leave their home during the war. Since then Liberian have grown in different counties and also have different cultures. Their songs, dances, clothing and food are all different. They are divided into three major groups the indigenous people, the Americo- Liberians which make up 5% of the population, and Africans. Their songs, dances, clothing and food are all different. They are divided into three major groups the indigenous people, the Americo- Liberians which make up 5% of the population, and Africans.

Jeanette Holmes The Culture Continues English is their official language but they also communicate in their own language. Mask making is popular for the indigenous groups, also sports and soccer.

Jeanette Holmes Economy More than two-thirds of the economy responsibility is farming. Here are some of their crops: More than two-thirds of the economy responsibility is farming. Here are some of their crops: Sweet Potatoes Sweet Potatoes Palm trees (for palm oil) Palm trees (for palm oil) Bananas Bananas Sugar canes Sugar canes They are very independent when it comes to raw material. Rubber was their first export crop in Mainly their most important exports are food, petroleum products, machinery and transport equipment. The civil war was a caused major problems in Liberia such as road damage which caused the country railroads to close They are very independent when it comes to raw material. Rubber was their first export crop in Mainly their most important exports are food, petroleum products, machinery and transport equipment. The civil war was a caused major problems in Liberia such as road damage which caused the country railroads to close

Jeanette Holmes Government Liberia consisted of three branches of government as the United States. Liberia consisted of three branches of government as the United States. The Legislative that has two chambers, the Senate and House of Representative. In which every six years 26 senators and 64 representatives are elected. The Legislative that has two chambers, the Senate and House of Representative. In which every six years 26 senators and 64 representatives are elected. The Executive branch in which involves the president, he also serves a six-year term. The Executive branch in which involves the president, he also serves a six-year term. And the Judicial Branch governed by the supreme court with 5 chief justice selected by the president. And the Judicial Branch governed by the supreme court with 5 chief justice selected by the president.

Jeanette Holmes Health Hospitals are poorly equipped with the essential needs in Liberia. In some areas, medicine is low and some don’t even have medicine. In Liberia Anthropodorne is very popular and is a major problem as well as HIV. Food-Bourne is very common and seems to never decease over time. Diarrhea and upper respiratory diseases are common.