Abstract
Constitution and Government.—The Republic of Liberia had its origin in the efforts of several American philanthropic societies to make permanent provision for freed American slaves by establishing them in a colony on the West African coast. In 1822 a settlement was formed on the west coast of Africa near the spot where Monrovia now stands. On 26 July, 1847, the state was constituted as the Free and Independent Republic of Liberia. The new state was first recognized by Great Britain and France, and ultimately by other powers. The constitution of the Republic is on the model of that of the United States, with important differences. The executive is vested in a President and Cabinet, and the legislative power in a legislature of two Houses, called the Senate and the House of Representatives. The President is elected for eight, the House of Representatives for four and the Senate for six years. The President must be at least 35 years of age and have unencumbered real estate to the value of $2,500 or £500. Electors must be of negro blood and owners of land. The natives of the country are not excluded from the franchise, but, except in the centres of civilization, take little part in political life. By the end of 1945, legislation was passed granting manhood suffrage to the natives in the three hinterland provinces, which will be represented in the legislature by one member each. In 1947, the franchise was extended to women.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsPreview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Books of Reference concerning Liberia
League of Nations. International Commission of Enquiry in Liberia. Communication by the Government of Liberia dated December loth, 1930, transmitting the Commission’s Beport. Geneva, 1930.
Papers Concerning Affairs in Liberia, December, 1930–Hay, 1934 (includes Report ol the Council ol the League of Nations, appointed to study the problems arising out of the request for assistance submitted by the Liberian Government, January, 1932). Cmd. 4614. H.M.S.O., 1934.
Allen (V. N.), I Found Africa. London, 1940.
Azikiwe (N.), Liberia in World Politics. London, 1934.
Brown (G. W.), The Economic History of Liberia. Washington, 1941.
Donner (Etta), Hinterland Liberia. London, 1939.
Furbay (E. D.), Top Hats and Tom-toms. New York, 1943.
Germann (Paul), Die Völkerstämme im Norden von Liberia. Leipzig, 1933.
Greene (Graham), Journey without Maps. London, 1936.
Greenwall (H. J.) and Wild (R.), Unknown Liberia. London, 1936.
Huberich (C. H.), The political and legislative history of Liberia. 2 vols. New York, 1947.
Mills (Lady D.), Through Liberia. London, 1926.
Reeve (H. F.), The Black Republic: Liberia. London, 1923.
Rue (S. de la), The Land of the Pepper Bird: Liberia. London, 1930.
Schwab (G.), Tribes of the Liberian Hinterland. Harvard, 1947.
Sibley (J. L.) and Westermann (D.), Liberia Old and New. London, 1928.
Strong (R. P.), The African Republic of Liberia and the Belgian Congo. Cambridge, 1930.
Wilson (C. M.), Liberia. New York, 1947.
Yancy (E. J.), Historical Lights of Liberia’s Yesterday mid To-day. Xenia, Ohio, 1934.
Young (J. C.), Liberia Discovered. New York, 1934.
Editor information
Copyright information
© 1949 Palgrave Macmillan, a division of Macmillan Publishers Limited
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Steinberg, S.H. (1949). Liberia. In: Steinberg, S.H. (eds) The Statesman’s Year-Book. The Statesman’s Yearbook. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230270787_43
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230270787_43
Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, London
Print ISBN: 978-1-349-54901-6
Online ISBN: 978-0-230-27078-7
eBook Packages: Palgrave Political & Intern. Studies CollectionPolitical Science and International Studies (R0)