20th century – 20th century
Liberia
William Tolbert was Liberia’s president after succeeding William Tubman in 1971. He dismantled oversized and rival security forces, ruled with less repression, and introduced a less formal style of government. Elected president unanimously in 1975, he limited his term of office in contrast to the repeated extensions arranged for his predecessor. Tolbert also expanded Liberia’s continental diplomacy, exchanged ambassadors with the Soviet Union, established relations with China after breaking with Taiwan, and helped form the Mano River Union in 1973.
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The Story
Tolbert succeeded William Tubman to the Liberian presidency in 1971 after serving for many years as his vice-president. He dismantled swollen and sometimes rival security forces, governed without repression, and introduced a less formal style of rule. His approach contrasted with the long extensions of Tubman’s tenure and suggested an attempt to regularise presidential succession.
After being elected unanimously in 1975, Tolbert set a term limit for his period in office. He also gave Liberia a more active role in continental politics, ensuring greater participation in OAU initiatives. His foreign policy expanded beyond the relationships maintained by Tubman: Liberia exchanged ambassadors with the Soviet Union and Tolbert visited Peking after severing relations with Taiwan.
In 1973, Tolbert and Sierra Leone’s President Siaka Stevens formed the Mano River Union. The organisation was intended to establish a customs union and other forms of economic cooperation. It symbolised the development of closer official links between Liberia and Sierra Leone, states whose earlier political relationships had been shaped by competing claims to representation and power.
20th century – 20th century
Liberia
William Tolbert was Liberia’s president after succeeding William Tubman in 1971. He dismantled oversized and rival security forces, ruled with less repression, and introduced a less formal style of government. Elected president unanimously in 1975, he limited his term of office in contrast to the repeated extensions arranged for his predecessor. Tolbert also expanded Liberia’s continental diplomacy, exchanged ambassadors with the Soviet Union, established relations with China after breaking with Taiwan, and helped form the Mano River Union in 1973.
Continue exploring
The Story
Tolbert succeeded William Tubman to the Liberian presidency in 1971 after serving for many years as his vice-president. He dismantled swollen and sometimes rival security forces, governed without repression, and introduced a less formal style of rule. His approach contrasted with the long extensions of Tubman’s tenure and suggested an attempt to regularise presidential succession.
After being elected unanimously in 1975, Tolbert set a term limit for his period in office. He also gave Liberia a more active role in continental politics, ensuring greater participation in OAU initiatives. His foreign policy expanded beyond the relationships maintained by Tubman: Liberia exchanged ambassadors with the Soviet Union and Tolbert visited Peking after severing relations with Taiwan.
In 1973, Tolbert and Sierra Leone’s President Siaka Stevens formed the Mano River Union. The organisation was intended to establish a customs union and other forms of economic cooperation. It symbolised the development of closer official links between Liberia and Sierra Leone, states whose earlier political relationships had been shaped by competing claims to representation and power.
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