Part 7/14:
The Fall of a Fragile System: Military Coups and Political Chaos
The 1970s and 1980s marked increasing instability. William Tolbert, who succeeded Tubman, attempted reforms but faced urban unrest. In 1980, Samuel Doe—a member of the indigenous Krahn tribe—led a military coup, overthrowing Tolbert and establishing a brutal, autocratic regime. The new leadership was composed of tribal loyalists, prompting hopes for indigenous empowerment.