Map of Liberia by Alvaro1984 in the Public Domain
|
The Founding of Liberia
Liberia was founded in 1847 on land purchased by Americans in North Africa. This land was purchased by the ACS (American Colonization Society), a group that believed in sending free black men to colonize in Africa for a wide range of reasons, even some believed it to be an option for freeing slaves. The focus in this project however is Africa and not the United States. The interactions between Americans and Africans in order for the American group to purchase the land are of note in understanding this history. It took three trips by Americans to get any deal for the land done. The natives of Africa resisted but through coercion the Americans were able to purchase the land in 1821. Interactions between the new found colony and surrounding tribes were hostile as attacks were sent against Liberia quite often. |
Ottoman Rule
While not necessarily a Western interaction, the role that the Ottoman Empire played in the early 1800's is a large part of the history of Northern Africa. Ottoman Rule began as early as the 1500's in places such as Egypt and Algeria and by the 19th century had control over Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya. Due to the vast size of the Ottoman Empire, local dynasties continued to rule while the Ottoman's oversaw the rule. What is of note in this century is the fall of Ottoman control in these areas as Western powers came and took control, such as the French in Algeria. Further when thinking of Ottoman Empire the Barbary States come to mind as having a large role in that battle with the United States in a Western interaction. |
|