The West African nation of Liberia has been in the news lately, especially since its corrupt leader, Charles Taylor, was recently ousted. Read on to learn about the history of this war-torn country that was born from turmoil and where grief and suffering have always been a way of life.

In 1815, African-American Quaker and maritime entrepreneur Paul Cuffee had a plan to reestablish former slaves in Africa. He led a group of newly emancipated slaves on a voyage to the West African country of Sierra Leone. His idea was to return former slaves to Africa to escape the barbaric conditions they faced in America, and where they could use the skills they learned to develop the land's resources and educate their countrymen.

The partial success of Cuffee's mission led to the forming of The American Colonization Society.

The ACS was established in 1817 by Robert Finley of Mississippi. However, many African-Americans, even Cuffee enthusiasts, did not support it because blacks were excluded from membership.

Many of its members were Southern slave-holders. Most freed slaves vowed to stay in America and fight for equality in the country they helped build.

The ACS sent its first group to Sherbro Island off Sierra Leone in 1822 but bad living conditions made it a poor choice. Cape Mesurado, located on Sierra Leone's Green Coast was chosen next. But the indigenous (native-born) people who lived there refused to leave their land.

A bloody war broke out. Eventually the native tribes were forced to trade the 36-mile long stretch of coastal land in exchange for about $300 worth of supplies, weapons and rum.

Tension was building between the ACS and the settlers over who would run things. The settlement, which had been called Christopolis, was renamed Monrovia after President James Monroe, while the colony as a whole was now called Liberia.

Slave holders in the U.S. were eager to send newly freed blacks to the colony. Many were “emancipated” only after agreeing to move there. Joseph Jenkins Roberts, of Virginia became the first African-American governor of Liberia.

On July 26, 1847, the Liberian Declaration of Independence was adopted. In it, Liberians charged the United States with the inhumane conditions of slavery that forced them to flee to Africa.

In 1848, Roberts became Liberia's first president. Britain was the first nation to recognize the new republic while the United States followed in 1862 under President Abraham Lincoln.

After 140 years of independence, four republics and 20 presidents, the Liberian people are still suffering. Charles Taylor's corrupt government was the latest to be overthrown with innocent civilians caught in the crossfire.

The nation's already fragile economy has been destroyed and Liberia is now one of the world's poorest and most dangerous countries.

Of all of Liberia's presidents, only Samuel Kamyone Doe was a native Liberian. Taylor had him executed in 1990.

The Post's Abraham Turay left Liberia in 1982. While there, he was an architectural draftsman under then-president William Tolbert. Tolbert was assassinated by Doe who then seized power.

Turay caused trouble when he questioned the Minister of Public Works about the financing of an expensive building for Doe, since he was involved in drafting it.

His questions aroused suspicions of government theft and he was forced to flee the country for his life. Not even his closest friends or family knew he was leaving.

Though he has lamented the conditions in his homeland and the fate of the family he left behind he says, “I am hopeful now for the children and for the future of my country.”

Liberian women demonstrate for peace.
- Photo: EPA/Kim Ludbrook

• Size: slightly larger than Tennessee
• Climate: tropical, hot and humid.
• Natural resources: iron ore, timber, diamonds
• Population: 3,317,180
• Religion: Christian, Muslim and tribal
• Language: English; tribal dialects

Today's lesson fulfills the following New York standards: English Language Arts: E1c, E2d, E3d, E4a, E4b, E5a. Social StudiesStandard 2: World History.

Look in today's paper for stories or pictures about Liberia.

With your classmates and help from your teacher, form a relief drive to help the Liberian people. You could collect canned goods, toiletries like soap and toothpaste or clothes.

Write an essay about how you would improve the conditions in Liberia. Use information from today's page to help you plan how.