TO WHAT EXTENT DID THE LIBERATED SLAVES LIVE UPTO THEIR NATIONAL MOTTO IN THE PERIOD 1855-1914?

Approach
• Brief background about the acquisition of Liberia by the freed slaves.
• Identify and explain aspects which show that the freed slaves lived up to their aspiration.
• Show how they failed to live up to the motto.
• Conclude logically.
The freed slaves lived up to their motto due to the following considerations
1. They managed to agitate and attain their independence from America; this
was granted on 26thJuly l847 with J J Roberts a former slave as their first president.
2. They managed to preserve their political independence. Liberia survived colonialism during the period of scramble and partition of Africa,
3. There was establishment of democratic institutions though weak like the Parliament.
4. They managed to successfully reject the undemocratic and unfavourable constitution imposed on them by the care takers i.e. the American colonization society (ACS).
5. The ex -slaves gained better access to education and medical services which they could not access easily in America.
6. The freed slaves shaped unity among themselves which helped them to protect their sovereignty.
7. The ex -slaves managed to fight and offset the threat of indigenous Africa 1ike the Kru, Grebo and the Vai.
8. They instituted freedom of association by permitting the multi-party policies system e.g. the Republican Party of Liberia and the true Whig party were put in place.
However they largely failed to live up to their national motto as evidence below;
1. They continued using American dollar showing that they were not free even to the level of printing their own coins.
2. Rubber plantations in Liberia were still controlled by American colonial society.
3. Liberia's constitution was modeled based on American constitution and even never participated in making this constitution.
4. The American colonization society agents continued to brutally treat the Liberians e.g. governor Rottcarey.
5. Liberia continued to use the American flag as a symbol of leadership
6. There was unfair distribution of land, most of the fertile land was alienated by the ACS.
7. There existed perpetual economic discrimination.
8. High posts in the government were majorly occupied by the Mulattoes presidents and top civil servants.
9. Nepotism and corruption monopolized the judicial sector.
10. There was outright disrespect of Am can culture i.e. languages and religion.
11. Africans were subjected to forced labour and heavy taxes amidst brutal means of collection.
12. American ambassadors continued to overshadow the rulers of Liberia.
13. They continued to rely on American markets for supplies.
14. Loss of Liberia's valuable territories to greedy European countries she lost Shebon to Britain and Palmas island of France.