Liberia in World War I

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Liberia remained neutral for the first years of World War I , but on 4 August 1917, in the wake of the declaration of war upon the German Imperial Government by the United States of America (6 April 1917), Liberia joined the Allied side, and is counted amongst the war's victors.

Contents

Background

Prior to the beginning of World War I, Liberia was largely impoverished and unstable, and dependent on Germany for around 75% of its foreign trade. The start of the war caused a drop in German trade, with resulting severe effects on the Liberian economy. [1] Although the start of the war globally prevented Liberia from acquiring weapons, the American government consented to sell the Liberians arms at half-price, enabling the Liberian Frontier Force to keep down local insurrections. [2]

Participation

Following the outbreak of war, the German trade collapsed. However a German telegraph station was maintained until Liberia declared war on Germany on 4 August 1917. [3] At that point, the station's garrison was deported. [4]

Liberia had minimal active involvement in the war itself. Monrovia suffered one shelling by a German submarine in June 1918 – targeting their former telegraph station – and a small number of Liberian troops served in France, though they did not see combat. [1] [5]

In April 1918 the Liberian government seized German assets in the country, resulting in yet further economic disruption, particularly as German companies had displaced Liberian businesses in the local economy; [1] [6] this was further exacerbated by a German submarine blockade affecting Liberian ship traffic. [7]

As an Allied nation, Liberia received liberty loans from the United States, though this financial support decreased greatly after the end of the war. [1] A loan to "bolster and replace" profits lost as a result of Liberia's involvement was proposed by President Woodrow Wilson, but blocked by the United States Senate. [8]

See also

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States in World War I</span> Overview of the role of the United States of America during World War I

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The home front during World War I covers the domestic, economic, social and political histories of countries involved in that conflict. It covers the mobilization of armed forces and war supplies, lives of others, but does not include the military history. For nonmilitary interactions among the major players see Diplomatic history of World War I.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Economic history of World War I</span> Aspect of history

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sweden during World War I</span> Events in Sweden during the First World War

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The diplomatic history of World War I covers the non-military interactions among the major players during World War I. For the domestic histories of participants see home front during World War I. For a longer-term perspective see international relations (1814–1919) and causes of World War I. For the following (post-war) era see international relations (1919–1939). The major "Allies" grouping included Great Britain and its empire, France, Russia, Italy and the United States. Opposing the Allies, the major Central Powers included Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire (Turkey) and Bulgaria. Other countries also joined the Allies. For a detailed chronology see timeline of World War I.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Liberia–United Kingdom relations</span> Bilateral relations

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Germany–Liberia relations</span> Bilateral relations

Germany-Liberia relations are the bilateral relations between Germany and Liberia. After Liberian independence, the two countries become connected economically. The economic ties were broken during the World Wars. The two countries re-established connections following the World Wars.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Spencer C. Tucker; Priscilla Mary Roberts (September 2005). Encyclopedia Of World War I: A Political, Social, And Military History. ABC-CLIO. pp. 689–. ISBN   978-1-85109-420-2.
  2. Robert Kappel; Werner Korte; R. Friedegund Mascher (1986). Liberia: Underdevelopment and Political Rule in a Peripheral Society. Institut für Afrika-Kunde. p. 134. ISBN   978-3-923519-65-1.
  3. First World War http://www.firstworldwar.com/1917_08_07.htm . Retrieved 7 August 2017.{{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)[ dead link ]
  4. Pope, Stephen; Wheal, Elizabeth-Anne (2007). Dictionary of the First World War. Pen and Sword. ISBN   9780850529791 . Retrieved 27 August 2018.
  5. Thomas Duval Roberts (1972). Area Handbook for Liberia. U.S. Government Printing Office.
  6. Trudy Ring; Noelle Watson; Paul Schellinger (5 March 2014). Middle East and Africa: International Dictionary of Historic Places. Routledge. pp. 520–. ISBN   978-1-134-25986-1.
  7. Liberia. Intercontinental Books. 1952. pp. 64–. GGKEY:48KHQXGN8WR.
  8. The Crisis Publishing Company, Inc. (November–December 2003). "The Crisis". The New Crisis. The Crisis Publishing Company, Inc.: 22–. ISSN   0011-1422.