United States Keeps Some Focus on Liberia

Alright, so let's say that Liberia would for one reason or another become more important for America - through more African American immigration, due to prestige, it appearing prominently in literature and capturing people's minds, being seen as an credible solution for problems with race, U.S. wants a convenient toehold in Africa - whatever the reason, I don't know enough to tell about the specifics but I wouldn't think it is ASB.

Anyway, what if a special relationship of sorts develops between the two and America supports it with money, military support and training, and such and the relationship stays well within our days. Liberia keeps the original claims to it's territory and is supported by U.S. How would a more prosperous, educated and larger/more populous Liberia affect Africa?

(Also assume that Americo-Liberians don't treat the natives like crap. There can still be vast gulfs between the two but let's say that they actually genuinely want to improve their lives in some way. )
 
Starting in about 1910, a strong anti-colonialist bent seizes hold in the US. Disgusted by US experiences in the Philippines, Panama and Cuba, but unable to get the US Government to liberate either, a wing of the Republicans seizes upon Liberia as an example of what 'free' countries can do. Private money - slow at first, but picking up steam later on begin to transform the country.

After WWI, the Republicans get into power, and a fad turns to policy. Liberia adopts no and low tax allows, becoming the first offshore tax shelter. Soon vacation homes and private equity banks spring up, and a small naval base is built. Liberia becomes an exception to the US isolationist policy.

The Depression cuts - but does not stop - aid, and Roosevelt sees Liberia as a shining example of America overseas. When WWII breaks out, the small naval base is expanded, and some airfields are built. The Fall of France and the subsequent rise of of Vichy in North Africa alarms the US to the extent that a small US Army garrison is stationed - along with a naval squadron - in Monrovia.

During the period of Neutrality, Liberia serves as a safe port for Allied shipping, a place for refugees, and a trans-flight point for Lend-Lease US air headed to the Egyptian front. When the US enters the war, Liberia's role expands still further.

After the war, Liberia becomes an important US base in Africa, and becomes a model decolonisation.

Mike Turcotte
 

That's pretty awesome. But assuming WWII even happens, without mention of WWI, is difficult considering the butterflies. Colonial tensions were a contributing factor to the first World War - if the US has more of a presence in Africa, who knows what kind of knock-on effects it may have. One of Germany's treaty-aims would have been a better West African port than Togoland - I believe the Ivory Coast or Guinea were areas being looked in to - and a stronger American presence on the Guinean Coast might change something there.

I'm just spitballing of course.
 
We never lost focus on Liberia because we never had focus on Liberia. We essntially paid for their taxi. In all honesty I would love to see an example of a TL with Liberia being a US Colony. Also heres a pic of Roosevelt in Liberia.

Roosevelt_and_Barclay.gif
 
Henry Ford beats Firestone to Liberia, butterflying away the Fordlandia debacle. He hire the appropriate experts, and makes Liberia into the principal source of rubber for his vertically organized conglomerate. Given his utopian notions, he lavishes millions of dollars on liberia's infrastructure, buying out and dramatically expanding the nations port, rail, and power facillities.

Then a chance discovery occurs. A ford employed geologist discovers rich veins of Iron ore in Liberia. In a fit of megalomania, ford begins to develop it and integrate it into American steel industry. But said iron ore is only the beginning, Ford begins to imagine the vast wealth lurking beneath west africa. By the end of the decade, Liberia has become west Africa's principal entreport centering around the boom-town of Monrovia. Of course this is all peanuts compared to when some Standard Oil of Indiana men start poking around the Niger delta...
 
Yeah, if U.S. holds on to Liberia long enough for oil to become important and Niger Delta hasn't been claimed by the UK yet (which happened in the early 1900's?), it will probably colonize it with Liberians at the forefront of the conquest. Liberia could be U.S.'s motor and "excuse" to claim some more African land.

Keep 'em coming!
 
Yeah, if U.S. holds on to Liberia long enough for oil to become important and Niger Delta hasn't been claimed by the UK yet (which happened in the early 1900's?), it will probably colonize it with Liberians at the forefront of the conquest. Liberia could be U.S.'s motor and "excuse" to claim some more African land.

Keep 'em coming!

By 1900 a claim to the Niger Delta is long since fulfilled. I doubt the US is going to go to war against Britain or France (the two likeliest contenders if you look at butterflies) over the Niger Delta. I think what was being implied is that American economic focus on Africa will shift drastically from Liberia to the Biafra coast and private US companies will stop pouring money into Liberian factories. Rather, there will be deals with Britain/France to allow US oil firms to drill in Biafra. Though, to be frank, I don't fully understand why either of these powers would give up the oil to American companies when they can profit from it themselves.
 
By 1900 a claim to the Niger Delta is long since fulfilled. I doubt the US is going to go to war against Britain or France (the two likeliest contenders if you look at butterflies) over the Niger Delta. I think what was being implied is that American economic focus on Africa will shift drastically from Liberia to the Biafra coast and private US companies will stop pouring money into Liberian factories. Rather, there will be deals with Britain/France to allow US oil firms to drill in Biafra. Though, to be frank, I don't fully understand why either of these powers would give up the oil to American companies when they can profit from it themselves.

Its not so much that America would be outwardly imperialistic towards Africa if it took a greater interest in Liberia, its that America capital would have enough interest in Africa to step in once Britain and France's grasps weaken. A Liberia intimately connected to American industry, is well positioned to be a launching point for American investment into the African continent.

After decolonization, this could potentially turn Liberia into the economic center of West Africa with Monrovia housing the African branch offices of Alcoa, Hershey, and Amoco managing holdings in Ghana, Sierra Leone, and Nigeria. Iron and Rubber will bring the initial investments, but oil in Biafra will bring in serious money as the five sisters seek to usurp BP and Shell.
 
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