Liberia, on the west coast of Africa, was settled by the American Colonization Society in 1820. The society transported free black Americans there in an effort to remove them from the United States, and closely controlled Liberia's development until 1847, when independence was declared. Liberia -- meaning Land of the Free -- was considered the promised land by its settlers. Unfortunately, they did not integrate well into African society, even viewing the native Africans as uncivilized. The Liberians referred to themselves as American, and their government and attitutudes reflected that as they constantly attempted to dominate those they viewed as inferior. This attitude did not help in the developement of the country.

During World War II, Liberia began receiving technical assistance and aid from the United States which enabled it to introduce social change and progress economically. In 1980, Liberia's "first republic" came to an end with a successful military coup led by Samuel Kanyon Doe and other officers of tribal origins. Doe strengthened ties with the US, who rewarded the country with more than half-a-billion dollars for pushing the Soviets out, and allowing the US exclusive use of its ports and land, including allowing the CIA to use the country as a base for spying on Libya.

Liberia went on to two civil wars: the first one lasting eight years (1989-1996), and the second one stretching from 1999 to 2003. This period is marked by brutal warlord regimes and dysfunctional goverments. Today the country has 85% unemployment, the worst in the world. In 2005, lawsuits were brought against Bridgestone/Firestone for its alleged role in using slave labour on its rubber plantations in Liberia.

As of 2005, Liberia appears to be heading in the right direction after 14 years of civil war, although the process has been described as sluggish. 

Liberia on MapQuest | Liberia on Wikipedia