Program Information

Formed at a time when most Americans were racists, the American Colonization Society established a settlement on the coast of West Africa. In 1820, the American Colonization Society began to send freed blacks back to Africa.

A Moment in Time is a brief, exciting and compelling journey into the past. Created to excite and enlighten the public about the past, its relevance to the present and its impact on the future, A Moment In Time is a captivating historical narrative that is currently broadcast worldwide.

Transcript

Lead: In 1820 the American Colonization Society began to send freed blacks back to Africa.

Intro. : A Moment in Time with Dan Roberts.

Content: Formed at a time when most Americans were racists, either in favor of slavery or convinced that the continued presence of blacks was harmful to white society, the American Colonization Society established a settlement on the coast of West Africa. After the death of many settlers and initial setbacks, the Society sent Jehudi Ashmun, an Episcopal clergyman, to lead the colony. Ably assisted by Elijah Johnson, a settler whose leadership and timely intervention had prevented the collapse in the early days, Ashmun organized a defense force, started trade with the interior and, in 1824, led in establishing the colony as Liberia with a capital at Monrovia, named in honor of President James Monroe.

Soon Liberia was joined by a group founded by the Maryland Colonization Society who settled at Cape Palmas and another, sent over by a group of Pennsylvania Quakers, who set up shop in the estuary of the St. John River. By 1838 these three had united to form the Commonwealth of Liberia, a new constitution was in place and the number of settlers was approaching 3000. Originally intended as an agricultural colony, because so many of the settlers had been transported from northern states and therefore were familiar with trade, Liberia began to increase its trading capacity. A substantial obstacle to commerce was the reluctance of France and England to pay customs duties to a private colony. This produced calls for national independence. In 1847 the American Colonization Society relinquished control and a Virginian, Joseph Jenkins Roberts, became the first President of the sovereign nation of Liberia.

Research assistance by Eugene Watkins. At the University of Richmond, this is Dan Roberts.

Virginia Standards