Liberia, the first independent democratic republic in Africa was established with the predominance of descendants of freed people of color who had hitherto lived in the AMERICAS. The National Colonization Society of America chose Liberia as a homeland for freed American slaves. Land was obtained by treaty with indigenous tribes in 1822, and was subsequently settled. In 1847, Liberia proclaimed itself an independent republic.
In 1980, a bloody coup, overthrew President William Tolbert.