Part 3/14:
Initially, Liberia was structured with a constitution closely resembling that of the U.S., featuring elected legislative bodies, a presidential system, and a judicial branch modeled on American courts. The goal was clear: create a nation rooted in American ideals, with one key caveat—only persons of color could become citizens, reinforcing Liberia as a homeland for oppressed Africans and African Americans.
The Complex and Contested Land: Settlements, Land, and Local Tribes
As settlers arrived, they established coastal cities like Monrovia, named after President Monroe, which quickly became political and economic hubs. However, land acquisition was often violent, with land traded at gunpoint from local tribes, such as the Gola, in deals often steeped in coercion and force.