Governors of Liberia Before Independence & Periods of Liberian History

Grade 6 · Social Studies

Semester 1 | Period 1 | Week 3

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Subject: Social Studies

Semester: 1

Period: 1

Week: 3

School Name:
Teacher’s Name:
Subject: Social Studies
Grade Level: Grade 6
Date: Week 3
Lesson Duration: 45 minutes
Week & Period: Week 3, Period 1
Topic: Governors of Liberia Before Independence & Periods of Liberian History
Sub-topic: Early governors, contributions, and historical periods

Learning Objectives
By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:
Identify the first governors of Liberia; explain their contributions; describe Liberia’s historical periods and key developments.

Previous Knowledge
Students already know:
The founding of Liberia and its early settlements.

Instructional Materials
Timeline charts, portraits of early governors, maps, and period summaries.

Lesson Development – ABC Model
A – Anticipation (Warm-up / Starter)
Time: 5–10 minutes
Class discussion on leadership: Who governs a country? Compare modern and early governance.

B – Building Knowledge (Main Lesson Body)

Time: 25–30 minutes

Teacher’s Explanations & Discussions

Governors of Liberia Before Independence

  • Jehudi Ashmun (1822–1828):
    • An American missionary and agent of the American Colonization Society (ACS).
    • Strengthened the defense of Monrovia against indigenous resistance.
    • Organized the settlers into structured communities.
    • Introduced improved farming and trade practices.
    • Called the “father of Liberia” because he laid down the first system of governance and laws.
  • Thomas Buchanan (1839–1841):
    • First governor of the Commonwealth of Liberia.
    • Reorganized government administration for smoother functioning.
    • Promoted education by supporting schools.
    • Expanded trade between settlers and foreign merchants.
    • The port city of Buchanan in Grand Bassa County was named in his honor.
  • Joseph Jenkins Roberts (1842–1847):
    • First black governor of Liberia, originally a freed African-American from Virginia.
    • Encouraged settlers to be self-reliant and improve agriculture.
    • Promoted trade and built diplomatic ties with Britain and other nations.
    • Led Liberia toward independence in 1847.
    • Became the first president of Liberia after independence.

 

Periods of Liberian History

  • Colonial Period (1822–1839):
    • Liberia under direct ACS authority.
    • Settlers arrived on ships from America and lived under ACS control.
    • Early struggles with disease and conflicts with indigenous groups.
  • Commonwealth Period (1839–1847):
    • Liberia became semi-independent but still connected to ACS.
    • Thomas Buchanan served as the first governor of the Commonwealth.
    • Preparations began for self-government.
  • First Republic (1847–1980):
    • Liberia declared independence on July 26, 1847.
    • Adopted a constitution modeled after the U.S.
    • Joseph Jenkins Roberts became the first president.
    • Long period of Americo-Liberian leadership until the 1980 coup led by Samuel Doe.
  • Second Republic (1986–Present):
    • New constitution introduced in 1986.
    • Aimed to restore democratic governance.
    • Survived civil wars of the 1990s and 2000s.
    • Today, Liberia continues as a democratic republic.

 

Teacher’s Demonstrations

  • Draw a large timeline on the board with key dates:
    • 1822 – Arrival of Jehudi Ashmun
    • 1839 – Commonwealth begins (Governor Thomas Buchanan)
    • 1842–1847 – Joseph Jenkins Roberts governorship
    • 1847 – Independence (First Republic)
    • 1980 – Coup d’état by Samuel Doe
    • 1986 – Second Republic with new constitution
  • Display portraits of the three governors and let learners identify them.
  • Show a map of Liberia highlighting Providence Island (first settlement), Buchanan city, and Monrovia.
  • Provide a chart of the four periods with columns: Years – Leaders – Key Events.

 

Practical Activities

  1. Timeline Construction:
    • In groups, learners create an illustrated timeline in their copybooks.
    • Add symbols (ships for settlers, flags for independence, etc.).
  2. Group Governor Study:
    • Each group picks one governor and lists three key contributions.
    • They present findings to the class.
  3. Matching Game:
    • Teacher gives cards with governors’ names.
    • Learners match them with cards describing their contributions.
  4. Period Chart Work:
    • Students fill in a blank chart:
      • Colonial – Commonwealth – First Republic – Second Republic
      • Write correct dates and one key event for each.

 

Learners’ Activities (Expanded)

  • Work in groups to draw and label timelines.
  • Take structured notes in copybooks on governors and historical periods.
  • Present group discussions on one governor.
  • Answer oral questions in class about events and periods.
  • Participate in the card-matching game.

 

Assessment Checks

  • Oral Questions:
  1. Who was Jehudi Ashmun and why is he called the “father of Liberia”?
  2. Which Liberian city was named after Thomas Buchanan?
  3. Who was the first black governor of Liberia?
  4. In which year did Liberia declare independence?
  5. Which period began after the 1980 coup?
  • Practical Check:
    • Teacher inspects each group’s timeline for accuracy of dates and events.
  • Written Exercise: Fill in the blanks in the chart:
    • Colonial Period (____ – ____)
    • Commonwealth (____ – ____)
    • First Republic (____ – ____)
    • Second Republic (____ – ____)

 

Expanded Notes for Learners

  • Jehudi Ashmun → Father of Liberia; built defenses and governance.
  • Thomas Buchanan → First governor of the Commonwealth; city of Buchanan named after him.
  • Joseph Jenkins Roberts → First black governor and Liberia’s first president.
  • Four historical periods:
  1. Colonial (1822–1839) – ACS control.
  2. Commonwealth (1839–1847) – Semi-independence.
  3. First Republic (1847–1980) – Independence declared.
  4. Second Republic (1986–present) – Current system.

 

Assignment (Homework)

  1. Write two contributions of Jehudi Ashmun to Liberia.
  2. Create a simple timeline of Liberia’s four historical periods in your copybook.
  3. Write three sentences about Joseph Jenkins Roberts and why he is important.
  4. Match the following:
    • a) Jehudi Ashmun → ______
    • b) Thomas Buchanan → ______
    • c) Joseph Jenkins Roberts → ______

 

C – Consolidation (Conclusion & Assessment)
Time: 5–10 minutes
Summary: Recap governors, contributions, and historical periods.

Evaluation Method (Expanded):
Exit slip/quiz: Name one governor and one contribution; list a historical period.

Assignment (Expanded):
Research an early governor and summarize their achievements.

Follow-up Activity:
Role-play: Students act as governors making early administrative decisions.

Differentiation / Inclusive Strategies
Provide printed portraits and brief biographies for visual learners; peer-assisted activities.

Teacher’s Reflection (After Class)
What worked well? ___________________________________________
What needs improvement? ____________________________________
Students’ engagement level: ☑ High ☑ Medium ☑ Low