One of the most complex questions in US history has been the status of freed blacks: in a society that eventually rejected slavery but had major issues accepting a racial minority as equals.
The funny thing is, the US sponsored a potential solution very early with the colonization of Liberia - an interesting parallel to the MUCH later back to Africa movement of, among others, Marcus Garvey.
What would it take to have a more extensive early colonization of Liberia, followed by further radical expansion after whatever form eventual abolition might take?
I'm perfectly aware that American Colonization Society/Liberian treatment of natives was not a landmark case of acceptance and equality, and that the Americo-Liberian percentage of the Liberian population is currently quite small.
A scenario such as I envision would certainly see, territorially, a much larger Liberia. A side benefit to the US is a much larger stake in 19th Cent. Africa without violating anti-colonial principles, and Liberia will be a much more interesting example to other black Africans - perhaps an interesting relationship with Ethiopia might arise.
So, what does it take to get most or, at least, far more American blacks to a much larger Liberia? An earlier abolition, or a Confederate victory? Defeat of or by the UK? Creative solutions welcome.
The funny thing is, the US sponsored a potential solution very early with the colonization of Liberia - an interesting parallel to the MUCH later back to Africa movement of, among others, Marcus Garvey.
What would it take to have a more extensive early colonization of Liberia, followed by further radical expansion after whatever form eventual abolition might take?
I'm perfectly aware that American Colonization Society/Liberian treatment of natives was not a landmark case of acceptance and equality, and that the Americo-Liberian percentage of the Liberian population is currently quite small.
A scenario such as I envision would certainly see, territorially, a much larger Liberia. A side benefit to the US is a much larger stake in 19th Cent. Africa without violating anti-colonial principles, and Liberia will be a much more interesting example to other black Africans - perhaps an interesting relationship with Ethiopia might arise.
So, what does it take to get most or, at least, far more American blacks to a much larger Liberia? An earlier abolition, or a Confederate victory? Defeat of or by the UK? Creative solutions welcome.