Foreign Policy of Liberia

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Subject: History

Semester: 1

Period: 2

Week: 9

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School Name: ___________________________
Teacher’s Name: _________________________
Subject: History
Grade Level: Grade 12
Date: Week 9
Lesson Duration: 45 minutes
Week & Period: Week 9, Period II
Topic: Foreign Policy of Liberia
Sub-topic: Relations with Europe and the USA

 

Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. Explain the historical background of Liberia’s relations with Europe and the USA.
2. Discuss case studies such as the Firestone concession of 1926, U.S. aid during the Cold War, and Europe’s involvement in post-war Liberia.
3. Assess the long-term impact of Europe and U.S. relations on Liberia’s economy, politics, and foreign policy.

 

Previous Knowledge

Students already know:

• The formulation and implementation of foreign policy (Week 8).
• Liberia’s vital interests and regional diplomacy.
• The role of the U.S. in Liberia’s early independence support.

 

Instructional Materials

• History textbooks (senior secondary)
• Chart showing Liberia’s foreign policy timeline (1847 – post-war era)
• Map of Liberia showing Firestone concession areas
• Photographs/documents of U.S. Cold War aid packages, ECOWAS/EU post-war support
• Newspaper articles on U.S. & European involvement in Liberia

 

Lesson Development – ABC Model

A – Anticipation (Warm-up / Starter)

Time: 5–7 minutes

Teacher’s Role:

• Ask opening questions:

1. “Why do you think Liberia has always had close ties with the United States?”
2. “What kind of support do you think Liberia received from Europe after the civil war?”

Learners’ Role:

• Students share their ideas about U.S. and European influence in Liberia.
• Teacher records responses on the board (e.g., “friendship,” “trade,” “aid,” “exploitation”).

 

B – Building Knowledge (Main Lesson Body)

Time: 25–30 minutes

Teacher’s Role:

• Present historical background and case studies step by step.
• Connect past treaties and concessions to modern diplomatic relations.
• Use map and chart to visualize economic and political ties.

Learners’ Activities:

• Take structured notes.
• Analyze the Firestone concession contract (teacher provides excerpt).
• Discuss in pairs: “Was Liberia’s relationship with the U.S. mostly beneficial or exploitative?”
• Group exercise: create a table comparing U.S. vs European influence in Liberia.

 

Notes (Detailed)

Historical Background

• Liberia declared independence in 1847 with strong ties to the USA (American Colonization Society).
• Europe initially did not recognize Liberia due to colonial rivalry in Africa.
• By late 19th century, Liberia signed trade treaties with Britain, France, and Germany.

Case Studies

1. Firestone Concession (1926)
   • S. Firestone Tire & Rubber Company leased 1 million acres of land for 99 years.
   • Boosted Liberia’s economy but created economic dependency.
   • Gave U.S. major influence in Liberia’s domestic policy.
2. S. Aid during the Cold War
   • Liberia hosted Voice of America radio and U.S. communications bases.
   • Received military and economic aid to remain aligned with the West.
   • Example: Samuel Doe’s regime benefited from U.S. support in the 1980s.
3. Europe’s Role in Post-War Liberia
   • After 2003, European Union supported disarmament, rehabilitation, and governance reforms.
   • UK, Germany, and Sweden provided aid for infrastructure and education.
   • EU Election Observation Missions monitored Liberia’s elections (2005, 2011).

Impact of Relations

• Positive: Access to aid, investment, military support, and international recognition.
• Negative: Economic dependency, exploitation of resources, external interference in domestic politics.

 

C – Consolidation (Conclusion & Assessment)

Time: 5–8 minutes

Summary (Teacher):

• Liberia’s relations with the U.S. date back to its independence and remain central to its foreign policy.
• Europe’s role shifted from colonial competition to post-war aid and governance support.
• Case studies highlight both benefits (aid, investment) and drawbacks (dependency, exploitation).

Evaluation Methods:

• Oral questions:

1. What was the Firestone concession, and why is it significant?
2. How did the Cold War shape Liberia’s relations with the USA?
3. Mention two ways Europe supported post-war Liberia.

 

Assignment

1. Write short notes on:
   Firestone concession (1926)
   ii. U.S. Cold War aid to Liberia
   iii. Europe’s role in post-war reconstruction
2. Research Task: Interview a parent/elder about their views on U.S. and European influence in Liberia. Summarize in one page.
3. Debate preparation: “Liberia’s relations with the U.S. have done more harm than good.”

 

Differentiation / Inclusive Strategies

• Struggling Learners: Guided worksheet with fill-in-the-blank sentences.
• Advanced Learners: Critical essay — “Assess whether Liberia is too dependent on foreign powers.”
• Students with Disabilities: Provide large-print copies of the Firestone contract excerpt; assign peer assistance for group activities.

 

Teacher’s Reflection (After Class)

• What worked well? __________________________________________
• What needs improvement? ____________________________________
• Student participation: □ High □ Medium □ Low